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ANKLE ARTHRITIS IS a fairly common condition that occurs when the articular cartilage on the tibia and/or talus bones wears away. It most commonly occurs as a result of trauma (fractures or sprains), primary degenerative arthritis, or from a n inf la mmator y condition, such a s rheumatoid arthritis. Patients typically experience pain, loss of motion, swelling and deformity, and they often walk with a limp. Patients may be unable to perform many activities, such as walking long distances, exercising, working, running or even low-impact activities. Start-up pain is common, and the symptoms can progress to pain at rest and while trying to sleep. Ankle arthritis is typically diagnosed by a thorough history and physical examina- tion, as well as weight-bearing radiographs of the ankle joint. Occasionally, an MRI or CT scan is ordered. Treatment options can be nonoperative or surgical. Nonoperative management includes NSAIDs, ankle bracing, low- impact activities, steroid injections and gentle physical therapy. Surgical treat- ment depends on the severity of joint damage, the patient's age, occupation, body habitus and activity level. Options ca n include a r throscopic surger y to debride or clea n out the joint, a nk le arthrodesis or fusion, and total ankle replacement (TAR). TAR is an artificial joint that resurfaces both sides of the ankle joint in order to relieve the pain caused by arthritis and maintain range of motion of the ankle joint. The ma in goa l of surger y is to relieve pain and allow patients to perform activities of daily living. The tibial side of the joint is typica lly replaced with a meta l and polyethylene component, and the talus bone is resurfaced with a metal component. The best candidate for TAR is a healthy person who has minimal or no deformity of the ankle joint. TAR will usually function best in patients who are older, less active and not overweight. TAR can wear out or loosen over time, and require a revision surgery or conversion to an ankle fusion. Younger, active patients who have signifi- cant deformity, prior history of infection of the ankle, dead bone in the ankle area and severe neuropathy, should avoid TAR. Medical problems such as diabetes, poor circulation, skin ulcers, and heart and lung disease may put patients at a higher risk for infection and delayed healing of the surgica l site. The main complica- tions after TAR include infection, delayed wound healing, nerve and blood vessel injury, and loosening of the implants. Fortunately, these complications are not very common. When performing TAR, orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons use a general or spinal anesthetic with a nerve block to decrea se postoperative pa in. The surger y is usua l ly per formed in the hospital, and patients typically stay in the hospita l for one or two days. The incision is usually made on the front of the ankle joint. Special instruments and jigs frequently made to patient-specific dimensions are used to make exact bone cuts on the tibia and the talus to allow for placement of the metal and plastic tibia l component and the meta l ta lus component. Occasionally, the Achilles tendon or calf muscle is leng thened at the time of surgery to improve motion and alignment. After surgery, patients are immobilized in an orthopedic splint for one week and are then placed into a surgical boot. Protection and elevation is very important for the first few weeks. A two-to-six week period of non-weight bearing in the boot is required, followed by four to six weeks of weight bearing in the boot. After the stitches are removed at about three weeks, gentle range-of- motion exercises are started. Forma l physica l therapy can start as early as six weeks after the procedure. Patients will typically improve for one year after surgery, but pain relief and an increase in activity usually occur much earlier. The latest generation of TAR has had improved survivorship, and current research suggests that 70–80 percent of TARs are still functioning well after ten years. Dr. Gordon Bennett is an orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon and Director of Outpatient Surgery at Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center in the Montrose area of Akron, Ohio. He is also Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Northeastern Ohio Medical University. ■ BY GORDON L BENNETT, MD Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) for Ankle Arthritis 2 0C L I N I C A L S E C T I O N : O R T H O P E D I C S