Total ankle replacement for rheumatoid arthritis of the ankle

[Total arthroplasty of the ankle joint : Limitations and potentials]

Total arthroplasty of the ankle joint (TAA) has become an established treatment option for patients with advanced osteoarthritis of the ankle joint. A crucial factor for good long-term clinical results and standing times is careful patient selection, taking the indications, contraindications, and defined prognostic factors into account. Despite modern prosthetic designs, TAA remains a complex surgical procedure that requires precise surgical techniques in a specialized center. Various limitations exist, such as the implantation technique and experience of the surgeon and perioperative complications due to concomitant medications. Current research focuses on the optimization of implant designs, development of personalized surgical techniques, improvement of the long-term performance and minimization of perioperative complications. Future developments, such as the introduction of robot-assisted surgical systems and the integration of biological procedures are also discussed as technological perspectives.

Emerging National Trends in Ankle Prosthesis: A 15-Year Analysis of the Italian National Hospital Discharge Records

Total ankle replacement (TAR) has gained popularity in recent years becoming the mainstream treatment for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, posttraumatic arthritis and severe osteochondral lesions of the talus. The aim of the study was to assess the nationwide number of implants performed in a 15-year period (2001-2016) and to identify trends like patients' interregional migratory flows and their accessibility to this procedure. Data for this study were obtained from the Italian National Hospital Discharge records (SDO), obtained from the National Ministry of Health. The selected SDOs were evaluated for demographic data, like the patient's age and gender, for geographical data, including the region of hospitalization and the region of origin of the patient, and for hospitalization data, like the hospital stay length and the principal source of payment. In a 15-year span, a sharp increase in the number of TARs was observed with a 600% growth. The incidence was 0.16 per 100,000 persons in 2001 and increased to 0.915 per 100,000 persons in 2016. Most TAR were performed in northern Italy (73.9%), followed by central Italy (16.7%) and lastly southern Italy (9.4%). The rates of utilization of TAR increased every year from 2001 to 2016, indicating that demand for ankle arthroplasties is growing faster regarding to other procedures performed in Italy. The surgical cost was covered, in the majority of cases, by the National Health System and may play a role in the rising rates of TAR.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes After Total Ankle Arthroplasty Between End-Stage Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is known to be a reliable operative option for end-stage rheumatoid arthritis. However, higher risk of postoperative complications related to chronic inflammation and immunosuppressive treatment is still a concern. With the use of a newer prosthesis and modification of anti-rheumatic medications, we compared clinical outcomes after TAA between patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

METHODS

Forty-five patients with end-stage osteoarthritis (OA group) and 19 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA group) were followed for more than 3 years after 3 component mobile-bearing TAA (Zenith^TM). Perioperative anti-rheumatic medications were modified using an established guideline used in total hip and knee arthroplasty. Clinical evaluations consisted of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM).

RESULTS

In the preoperative and postoperative evaluation at final follow-up, there were no significant differences in AOFAS, FAOS, and FAAM scores between 2 groups. Despite statistical similarity in total scores, the OA group showed significantly better scores in FAOS sports and leisure (mean, 57.4 ± 10.1) and FAAM sports activity (mean, 62.5 ± 13.6) subscales than those in the RA group (mean, 52.2 ± 9.8, P = .004; and 56.4 ± 13.2, P < .001, respectively). There were no significant differences in perioperative complication and revision rates between 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Patients with end-stage ankle RA had clinical outcomes comparable to the patients with OA, except for the ability related to sports activities. In addition, there were no significant differences in early postoperative complication rates, including wound problem and infection.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, prognostic, prospective comparative study.

Quadruple-component superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap: A chimeric SCIP flap for complex ankle reconstruction of an exposed artificial joint after total ankle arthroplasty

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is becoming popular in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated ankle joint degeneration. However, ankle wound complications can occur after TAA, which sometimes requires challenging reconstruction due to anatomical complexity of the ankle. Superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) perforator (SCIP) flap has been reported to be useful for various reconstructions, but no case has been reported regarding a chimeric SCIP flap for complex ankle reconstruction. We report a case of complex ankle defect successfully reconstructed with a free quadruple-component chimeric SCIP flap. A 73-year-old female patient with RA underwent TAA, and suffered from an extensive ankle soft tissue defect (13 × 5 cm) with exposure of the implanted artificial joint and the extensor tendons. A chimeric SCIP flap was raised based on the deep branch and the superficial branch of the SCIA, which included chimeric portions of the sartorius muscle, the deep fascia, the inguinal lymph node (ILN), and the skin/fat. The flap was transferred to the recipient ankle. The sartorius muscle was used to cover the artificial joint, the deep fascia to reconstruct the extensor retinaculum, the ILN to prevent postoperative lymphedema, and the adiposal tissue to put around the extensor tendons for prevention of postoperative adhesion. Postoperatively, the patient could walk by herself without persistent leg edema or bowstringing of the extensor tendons, and was satisfied with the concealable donor scar. Although further studies are required to confirm efficacy, multicomponent chimeric SCIP has a potential to be a useful option for complex defects of the ankle.

[Endoprosthetic treatment of the ankle]

BACKGROUND

Chronic polyarthritis is the second most common cause regarding the etiology of upper ankle osteoarthritis after posttraumatic degenerative changes. Patient mobility is limited by this painful disease. Besides conservative treatment options, replacement of the upper ankle joint is an operative therapeutic option in eligible candidates which provides very good results.

OBJECTIVES

Besides epidemiological data, clinic presentation, diagnostic tools, treatment options and management of postoperative complications for patients with ankle osteoarthritis, this article presents the results of midterm outcome after total ankle replacement.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The retrospective results of 44 patients after total ankle arthroplasty are presented.

RESULTS

After an average follow-up of 53 months (range 20-98 months) the majority of results were good or excellent with respect to pain relief.

CONCLUSION

Total ankle replacement is a good option for treating osteoarthritis of the ankle joint in rheumatoid arthritis when attention is paid to the eligibility of the patients.