Short- and mid-term results with the STAR total ankle prosthesis.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Osteoarthritis significantly impacts ankle joint function, necessitating advanced treatment options.
• Total ankle replacement offers a potential alternative to arthrodesis for debilitating ankle conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short- to mid-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of the unconstrained S. T. A. R. total ankle prosthesis with uncemented fixation.
• To assess patient satisfaction, range of motion, and implant stability following ankle arthroplasty.

Main Methods:

• A consecutive series of 50 S. T. A. R. total ankle replacements in 48 patients were retrospectively reviewed.
• Patient diagnoses included posttraumatic osteoarthrosis, primary osteoarthrosis, and systemic joint diseases.
• Outcomes were assessed using patient satisfaction, range of motion measurements, and the AOFAS-Hindfoot-Score.

Main Results:

• High patient satisfaction rates (91% satisfied or very satisfied) were reported at the last follow-up.
• Achieved mean range of motion was 30°, with a mean AOFAS-Hindfoot-Score of 84.1 points.
• Implants demonstrated stability with no noted migration after initial settling, though 14% required revision surgery.

Conclusions:

• The S. T. A. R. total ankle prosthesis demonstrates favorable short- to mid-term results, with stable implants and good functional outcomes.
• Success factors include precise surgical technique, proper alignment, and adequate bone stock.
• Longer-term studies are needed to compare ankle replacement efficacy against ankle arthrodesis.