Midfoot Function Before and After Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomechanics
• Foot and ankle research

Background:

• Limited data exists on how total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) impacts midfoot function.
• Understanding midfoot mechanics after TAA is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze midfoot motion and power during walking before and after TAA.
• To compare midfoot function in TAA patients to healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 19 TAA patients and 19 controls.
• Utilized motion capture and force plates to assess first metatarsal and forefoot motion.
• Evaluated midfoot power generation and performed statistical comparisons.

Main Results:

• No significant changes in midfoot function were observed in TAA patients from pre-operation to 6 months post-operation.
• Equivalence testing confirmed stability in midfoot function over time for TAA patients.
• TAA patients exhibited reduced first metatarsal/forefoot motion and power generation compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• TAA does not appear to modify existing midfoot deficits within 6 months.
• Persistent differences in midfoot function suggest TAA primarily addresses ankle pathology, not midfoot mechanics.