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Total ankle replacement in patients under the age of 50. Should the indications be revised?
Ricardo Rodrigues-Pinto1, José Muras, Xavier Martín Oliva
1Department of Orthopaedics, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Hospital de Santo António, Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal.
Background:
High physical demand and young age are currently considered contraindications for total ankle replacement. This study aimed to compare its results between patients under the age of 50 and those aged 50 or older.
Methods:
103 patients derived from an ongoing prospective multicentric study with a mean follow-up of 41 (range, 24-72) months were included in this study. Clinical status (AOFAS score), range of motion (ROM), complication and survivorship rates were compared between <50 and ≥50 patients.
Results:
ROM and AOFAS score were significantly higher, as were their increases relatively to pre-operative values in patients <50. Complication and survivorship rates were comparable between both groups.
Conclusions:
At medium-term, ankle replacement is at least as effective in patients under the age of 50 as in those with aged 50 or older. Long-term results will allow to assess whether surgical indications for should be revised.
