PURPOSE: Ankle fusion that is operated on severe ankle arthritis has its weakness in that normal walking is impossible, even though the result is pretty good. As a alternative choice, total ankle replacement pursues the longer survivorship with material improvement. However, it is not yet known how much range of motion is possible after the replacement, or how it has changed overtime. Therefore, we need an analyzation for that. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of sixty-seven patients undergoing STAR total ankle replacement at our institution between 1998 and 2002 was conducted. Of those, twenty-six (39%) had complete sets of full dorsiflexion and plantar flexion lateral radiographs both between "immediate" postop and at a minimum of 2-years follow-up and no revision procedure during that time. The mean age of these patients was 63.2 years when the surgery was done; the etiology of arthrosis was 21(81%) post-traumatic/degenerative, 4 rheumatoid and 1 psoriatic. RESULTS: Average "immediate" ankle range of motion was 15.9 degrees, and total foot (non-ankle) motion was 20.6 degrees. At one, two, and three years the average ankle and total foot ranges of motion were 17.4 degrees, 17.6 degrees, 15.6 degrees and 21.0 degrees, 22.0 degrees, 21.2 degrees respectively. Statistically there was no significant difference between "immediate" postop motion and one to three years postop (all p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The range of motion after the STAR total ankle replacement is maintained from the "immediate" postoperative range of motion, but not increased, in the 1-3 year post replacement period.
Ankle ; Arthritis ; Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Ankle* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Walking

BACKGROUND: Ankle arthrodesis and replacement are two common surgical treatment options for end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. However, the relative value of these alternative procedures is not well defined. This study compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes as well as the early perioperative complications of the two procedures. METHODS: Between January 2, 1998 and May 31, 2002, 138 patients were treated with ankle fusion or replacements. Seventy one patients had isolated posttraumatic or primary ankle arthritis. However, patients with inflammatory arthritis, neuropathic arthritis, concomitant hind foot fusion, revision procedures and two component system ankle replacement were excluded. Among them, one group of 42 patients had a total ankle replacement (TAR), whereas the other group of 29 patients underwent ankle fusion. A complete follow-up could be performed on 89% (37/42) and 73% (23/29) of the TAR and ankle fusion group, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 4.2 years (range, 2.2 to 5.9 years). RESULTS: The outcomes of both groups were compared using a student's t-test. Only the short form heath survery mental component summary score and Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale pain scale showed significantly better outcomes in the TAR group (p < 0.05). In the radiographic evaluation, there was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative osteoarthritis between the TAR and fusion groups. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical results of TAR are similar to those of fusion at an average follow-up of 4 years. However, the arthroplasty group showed better pain relief and more postoperative complications that required surgery.
Aged ; Ankle Joint/radiography/*surgery ; *Arthrodesis ; *Arthroplasty, Replacement, Ankle ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis/radiography/*surgery ; Pain Measurement ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome