Comparison of Preoperative Bone Density in Patients With and Without Periprosthetic Osteolysis Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Talar component subsidence correlates with periprosthetic osteolysis after total ankle arthroplasty

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between periprosthetic osteolysis around the talar component and the amount of talar component subsidence after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA).

METHODS

This study included forty patients who underwent TAA with a mean follow-up of 67.5 ± 17.0 months. The patients were divided into two groups based on the amount of osteolysis around the talar component, as measured by computed tomography at the latest clinic visit: none to 2 mm (N group, n = 20) and greater than or equal to 2 mm (O group, n = 20). The average amount of talar component subsidence, clinical outcomes, and complications were compared between the two groups. In the O group, the correlation between osteolysis and talar component subsidence was evaluated.

RESULTS

The average talar component subsidence was significantly different between the N (0.22 ± 0.94 mm) and O groups (2.12 ± 2.28 mm). Five out of 20 ankles in the O group required revision surgery owing to talar component subsidence. The Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot scores in the N and O groups were significantly different: 93.5 ± 7.7 and 85.3 ± 15.4, respectively. In the O group, we found that osteolysis tended to develop on the lateral side, and the amount of osteolysis was positively correlated with the talar component subsidence (r = 0.59, P = .007).

CONCLUSION

In the O group, a positive correlation between osteolysis and talar component subsidence was found, and five patients required revision surgery.

Radiodensity Analysis of Lateral Column Superconstruct Fixation Sites in Midfoot Charcot Neuroarthropathy

Lateral column deterioration and subsequent loss of function poses a challenge for limb preservation in patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN). Application of "superconstructs" provides stability and clinical improvement to an often-ulcerated lateral foot. This study examines radiodensity in Hounsfield units (HU) to compare bone quality of lateral column fixation targets using computed tomography (CT) scans between patients with and without midfoot CN. A retrospective chart review identified control (nondiabetic, non-CN; n = 29) and midfoot CN (n = 21) groups. Patient demographics and medical history were collected. Two reviewers measured the mean HU of circular regions of interest centered on the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads as well as the anterior, middle, and posterior thirds of the calcaneus. Radiodensity was compared between groups, among calcaneal locations, Eichenholtz stages and Brodsky types. A p value ≤.05 was considered statistically significant. Age and body mass index were not significantly different between groups. The CN group exhibited greater HU than the control group at the metatarsal head and calcaneus (p < .001). The anterior calcaneus exhibited greater HU than the posterior calcaneus in the CN group (p = .02). The difference in HU was not statistically significant between Stages 0-1 and Stages 2-3 or midfoot Brodsky Types. Indirect bone density analysis revealed an increased density in CN compared to control patients with no significant difference between midfoot CN stages or types. The anterior calcaneus was the densest rearfoot bone among the CN patients, a result that may have implications in surgical fixation.

Management of Periprosthetic Bone Cysts After Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Modern improvements in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) have increased the performance of this procedure for treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis. A common finding after TAA is the formation of periprosthetic bone cysts, which can be clinically silent or result in TAA failure. The exact cause of periprosthetic bones cysts has not been established, but major theories are related to osteolysis secondary to implant wear, micromotion, and stress shielding. Treatment can be nonoperative with clinical observation for small, asymptomatic cysts. Large, progressive, and symptomatic cysts often merit surgical treatment with debridement and grafting, revision TAA, or salvage arthrodesis.

Periprosthetic Osteolysis as a Risk Factor for Revision After Total Ankle Arthroplasty: A Single-Center Experience of 250 Consecutive Cases

BACKGROUND

Periprosthetic osteolysis after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a challenging problem. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of and predisposing factors for osteolysis and its effects on clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We enrolled 236 patients (250 ankles) who underwent primary TAA using a mobile-bearing HINTEGRA prosthesis, with a mean follow-up of 83.5 months (range, 36 to 182 months), and subsequently divided them into 2 groups: the osteolysis group (79 ankles) and non-osteolysis group (171 ankles). Clinical and radiographic outcomes were compared between the 2 groups, and a bivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predisposing factors for the development of osteolysis.

RESULTS

In the osteolysis group (31.6% of the 250 ankles), the mean time of detection was 28.8 months postoperatively. Forty of these ankles were closely monitored without surgical treatment. Another 29 ankles underwent bone grafting and exchange of the polyethylene inlay, and the remaining 10 ankles underwent revision TAA or arthrodesis. All clinical outcome variables were significantly lower in patients with osteolysis, compared with those without osteolysis, at the final follow-up (p < 0.05). In the investigation of predisposing factors, only rheumatoid arthritis was identified as having a significant association with an increased prevalence of osteolysis (p = 0.030).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that the prevalence of periprosthetic osteolysis after TAA was considerable and that the development of osteolysis negatively affected the clinical outcome. Therefore, the prevention and appropriate treatment of osteolysis are crucial for the satisfactory long-term survival of TAA.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Nonoperative Management of the Achilles Tendon Insertion

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy can be a very challenging clinical syndrome with various nonoperative measures typically attempted before surgical intervention. Associated complications are known with surgical repair and can be limb altering. Owing to the longevity of clinical symptoms before clinical presentation, changing the pathophysiologic process and halting the inflammatory changes becomes paramount. Here we discuss nonoperative techniques and updates in the foot and ankle literature.

Low Rate of Peri-implant Osteolysis in Trabecular Metal Total Ankle Replacement on Short- to Midterm Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Peri-implant osteolysis is one of the major complications related to total ankle replacement. The aim of this study was to investigate the short- to midterm incidence of peri-implant osteolysis using computed tomography (CT) as imaging method for the Trabecular Metal Total Ankle (TMTA) implant representing a novel total ankle replacement (TAR) implant design regarding material and surgical technique.

METHODS

In total, 104 consecutive patients who had a primary TMTA replacement between March 2013 and October 2017 were included in the study. The radiographic evaluation included weightbearing anteroposterior and lateral views at baseline and after 3, 6, and every 12 months postoperatively. A helical CT was undertaken preoperatively and of the 80 patients available to follow up at least 12 months postoperatively, with average time interval between the TAR operation and the latest CT of 39 (range, 12-85) months.

RESULTS

Eight of 80 patients had altogether 11 osteolytic lesions around the components on CT images. Seven lesions were found in tibia, 3 in talus, and 1 in distal fibula. Four of the tibial lesions were situated in the medial malleolus and were not in contact with the prosthesis component. The sizes of the osteolytic lesions ranged between 7 and 20 mm, and the average volume of the lesions was 689 mm³.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the risk of peri-implant osteolysis with the TMTA implant is minimal in short to midterm. The anatomic configuration, unique material, and surgical technique may all contribute to the TMTA implant having a low rate of peri-implant osteolysis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.