Early Complications and Secondary Procedures in Transfibular Total Ankle Replacement

A new transfibular total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) system has not been assessed for potential early complications.

We retrospectively assessed prospectively collected data on the initial cohort of patients undergoing TAA with this implant. We evaluated visual analog scale (VAS) pain and function, range of motion, and early radiographic outcomes.

Twenty consecutive TAAs (19 patients) were treated with the implant from January 2013 through June 2014. Average patient age was 63.7 (range, 41-80) years, with an average follow-up of 18 (range, 12-27) months. No fibular nonunion or implant failure was found at 12 months postoperatively. One patient had asymptomatic mild tibial lucency. Four of 20 TAAs underwent additional surgery for anterior impingement (1 ankle), deep infection and symptomatic fibular hardware (1 ankle), and symptomatic fibular hardware (2 ankles).

Of 20 ankles treated with a new transfibular arthroplasty system, no fibular nonunion, delayed union, or implant failure was noted at 12 months postoperatively. Two complications were resolved with secondary treatment, and 2 other ankles underwent secondary surgery for symptomatic fibular hardware with good outcome. The findings suggest that this total ankle system is safe and effective at short-term follow-up.

Level IV, retrospective case series.