Total Ankle Arthroplasty Survivorship, Complication, and Revision Rates in Patients Younger Than 55 Years

Total ankle replacement has become a viable alternative to ankle arthrodesis in the surgical management of advanced ankle arthritis. Total ankle replacement has generally been reserved for patients who are older and for those who will have a lower demand on the replacement. The purpose of the current study is to review patient outcomes, complications, and implant survival in patients younger than 55 years who underwent total ankle replacement at a single institution. A single-center chart and radiographic review was performed of consecutive patients who underwent total ankle replacement for treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis. All surgeries were performed by 1 of 5 fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons at a single institution. A total of 51 patients met inclusion criteria with a mean follow-up of 31.2 months (SD = 16.2). Implant survival was 94%, There were 7 major complications (13%) requiring an unplanned return to the operating room and 8 minor complications (15%) that resolved with conservative care. The results of this study show that total ankle replacement is a viable treatment option for patients younger than 55 years.Levels of Evidence: A retrospective case series.