Ankle Distraction Arthroplasty: Evidence and Current Indications.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomechanical engineering
• Regenerative medicine

Background:

• Ankle osteoarthritis significantly impacts quality of life.
• Current management options include total ankle arthroplasty and arthrodesis, which have limitations.
• Ankle distraction arthroplasty (ADA) presents a less common alternative.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current evidence on ankle distraction arthroplasty (ADA).
• To explore indications, techniques, outcomes, and complications associated with ADA.
• To assess ADA's potential role in managing ankle osteoarthritis.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on ADA.
• Analysis of studies detailing surgical techniques and external fixator application.
• Evaluation of patient-reported outcomes and complication rates.

Main Results:

• ADA involves using an external fixator to distract and offload the ankle joint.
• This technique may alleviate pain and promote an environment for cartilage and subchondral bone repair.
• The native joint is preserved, potentially delaying or avoiding definitive surgical interventions.

Conclusions:

• Ankle distraction arthroplasty is a viable option for select patients with ankle osteoarthritis.
• Further research is needed to establish optimal techniques and long-term outcomes.
• ADA offers a joint-preserving approach to managing ankle arthritis.