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Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis with Total Ankle Replacement Through a Lateral Transfibular Approach
Published on: January 24, 2018
Diagnosing and Managing Infection in Total Ankle Replacement
Markus Walther1, Veit Krenn2, Kathrin Pfahl3
1Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Schön Klinik München Harlaching - FIFA Medical Centre, Harlachinger Straße 51, Munich 81547, Germany; Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Musculoskeletal University Center Munich (MUM), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Marchioninistraße 15, München 81377, Germany; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Wuerzburg, Brettreichstrasse 11, Würzburg 97074, Germany; Paracelsus Medical University, Strubergasse 21, Salzburg 5020, Austria.
Infections after total ankle replacement (TAR) within the first 4 weeks after implantation can be managed successfully with 1 or several debridements, irrigation, and a change of polyethylene inlay. Late infections require implant removal. Low-grade infections might be an underestimated problem so far. Although single-surgery revisions are reported in the literature, the authors' experience with 2-stage revisions using an antibiotics-loaded bone cement spacer is better. Additional antibiotics are used to support the surgical treatment. After antibiotic therapy of 12 weeks, the final treatment includes ankle or tibio-talo-calcaneal fusion and, with limitations, revision TAR.
Infections after total ankle replacement (TAR) within the first 4 weeks after implantation can be managed successfully with 1 or several debridements, irrigation, and a change of polyethylene inlay. Late infections require implant removal. Low-grade infections might be an underestimated problem so far. Although single-surgery revisions are reported in the literature, the authors' experience with 2-stage revisions using an antibiotics-loaded bone cement spacer is better. Additional antibiotics are used to support the surgical treatment. After antibiotic therapy of 12 weeks, the final treatment includes ankle or tibio-talo-calcaneal fusion and, with limitations, revision TAR.
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