Perioperative Complications and Initial Alignment of Lateral Approach Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Total ankle replacement continues to become a more common treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis. A lateral approach total ankle implant system is an innovative approach for this treatment. We performed a retrospective review of 16 patients treated with lateral approach total ankle replacement. The implant was successful and retained in all cases during a follow-up period of 769 ± 221.3 days (25.3 ± 7.3 months). Initial satisfactory alignment was achieved in all cases. For patients in whom a frontal plane incongruent deformity was present preoperatively, a statistically significant correction was obtained (p = .0122). Three cases of delayed or nonunion of the fibula (18.8%) occurred, and one case of infection that led to removal of the fibular plate developed, for a total of 4 complications (25.0%) related to the fibular osteotomy. Our findings indicate that lateral approach total ankle replacement is effective with unique advantages and disadvantages for treating end-stage ankle arthritis.