Total ankle arthroplasty: Strength, pain, and motion

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomechanics
• Musculoskeletal research

Background:

• Limited research exists on total ankle arthroplasty's effect on ankle plantarflexion strength.
• Existing studies focus primarily on pain and range of motion outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in ankle plantarflexion strength before and after total ankle arthroplasty.
• To examine the relationship between postoperative pain, ankle motion, and plantarflexion strength.

Main Methods:

• Prospective case-control study with 19 patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty and 19 matched healthy controls.
• Assessment of pain, passive range of motion, and isokinetic ankle plantarflexion torque at 60 and 120°/s.
• Statistical analysis including t-tests, non-parametric tests, and bivariate correlations.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in patient pain and ankle motion were observed postoperatively.
• Ankle plantarflexion torque did not change significantly after surgery and was lower than in the control group.
• Correlations were found between pain and motion, but not between pain or motion and plantarflexion torque.

Conclusions:

• Total ankle arthroplasty does not appear to improve ankle plantarflexion strength.
• Muscle performance deficits persist post-surgery, independent of improvements in pain or motion.
• Postoperative strengthening programs are recommended to address these impairments.