The Role of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB Ligand/Osteoprotegerin Ratio in Synovial Fluid as a Potential Marker for Periprosthetic Osteolysis Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Background: Periprosthetic osteolysis is a prevalent complication following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), implicating various cytokines in osteoclastogenesis as pivotal in this process. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between osteolysis and the concentrations of osteoclastogenesis-related cytokines in synovial fluid and investigate its clinical value following TAA. Methods: Synovial fluid samples from 23 ankles that underwent revision surgery for osteolysis following TAA were analyzed as the osteolysis group. As a control group, we included synovial fluid samples obtained from 23 ankles during primary TAA for osteoarthritis. The receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) ratio in these samples was quantified using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques, and a bead-based multiplex immunoassay facilitated the detection of specific osteoclastogenesis-related cytokines. Results: RANKL levels averaged 487.9 pg/mL in 14 of 23 patients in the osteolysis group, with no detection in the control group's synovial fluid. Conversely, a significant reduction in OPG levels was observed in the osteolysis group (p = 0.002), resulting in a markedly higher mean RANKL/OPG ratio (0.23) relative to controls (p = 0.020). Moreover, the osteolysis group had increased concentrations of various osteoclastogenesis-related cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IP-10, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1) in the synovial fluid relative to the control group. Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that periprosthetic osteolysis was associated with osteoclastogenesis activation through an elevated RANKL/OPG ratio following TAA. We assume that RANKL and other osteoclastogenesis-related cytokines in the synovial fluid have clinical value as a potential marker for the development and progression of osteolysis following TAA.

A Novel Approach to Total Ankle Arthroplasty with Simultaneous Structural Tibial Cut Autograft for Anterior Tibial Bone Defects.

Severe bone defects pose a clinical challenge in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and are frequently considered contraindicated. We introduce an innovative approach that utilizes a structural tibial cut autograft to address anterior distal tibia bone defects during TAA. This technique is a viable alternative to employing revision TAA systems or resorting to excessively high tibial cuts. Furthermore, it facilitates achieving favorable sagittal alignment and ensures adequate fixation strength of the tibial component.

comparison of postoperative gait parameters after total ankle arthroplasty and ankle fusion: A systematic review.

Ankle pathology, such as severe arthritis, often necessitates surgical intervention to restore mobility and alleviate pain. Two commonly performed procedures for end-stage ankle disease are ankle fusion (AF) and total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). This review aims to compare the impact of AF and TAA on postoperative gait parameters. An extensive search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases was conducted with the use of the keywords ("ankle arthrodesis" OR "ankle fusion") AND ("ankle replacement" OR "ankle arthroplasty") AND "gait." Clinical studies in terms of postoperative gait parameters were included in this review. At least one of the following gait parameters, included in gait analysis, should be researched: spatiotemporal variables and joint kinematics and kinetics. An initial search revealed 221 studies. After the removal of duplicates and screening of titles,10 studies (7 prospective and 3 retrospective case series) were included for qualitative analysis. In the majority of studies, there is no significant difference in spatiotemporal parameters, such as walking speed, cadence, stance duration, step length, and stride length among AF and TAA patients. Postoperative sagittal ankle ROM, mainly maximum ankle dorsiflexion angle is significantly higher in TAA patients, while results concerning hip and knee ROM are variable. The comparison of AF and TAA in terms of postoperative gait parameters has shown variable results. In the majority of studies, there is no significant difference in spatiotemporal and kinetic parameters among AF and TAA patients. Further high-quality prospective studies are needed to fully elucidate the comparison of postoperative gait parameters.

Tibial Axis-to-Talus Distance: A Clinically Reliable Measurement for Sagittal Translation of the Talus in Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Background: Sagittal talar translation is an important factor influencing the sagittal alignment of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Thus, accurate measurement of sagittal talar translation is crucial. This study proposes a simple method (tibiotalar distance [TTD]) that can quantify talar translation without being affected by the ankle and subtalar joint condition or the talar component position in patients with TAA. Methods: We enrolled 280 eligible patients (296 ankles) who underwent primary TAA between 2005 and 2019 and retrospectively reviewed them for sagittal talar translation. The TTD was measured for each patient on weight-bearing lateral ankle radiographs by 3 raters. In addition, we analyzed interrater and intrarater reliability for the TTD method. Results: We found that the TTD method could quantify the talar translation and was not affected by the preoperative condition of the ankle joint surface, subtalar joint pathologies, or the postoperative talar component position. The TTD method showed an excellent intraclass correlation coefficient (> 0.9) in all interrater and intrarater reliability analyses. In the analysis of 157 healthy, unoperated contralateral ankles, we identified that TTD showed a Gaussian distribution (p = 0.284) and a mean of 38.91 mm (normal range, 29.63-48.20 mm). Conclusions: The TTD method is a simple and reliable method that could be applied to patients with TAA to assess the sagittal talar translation regardless of the pre-and postoperative joint condition and implantation status.

Change of Segmental Motion Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty Using a 3-Dimensional Multi-segment Foot Model.

Background: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) enhances patients' subjective outcomes with respect to pain and function. The aim of this study was to analyze the biomechanical changes of the affected limb following TAA using gait analysis with a 3-dimensional multi-segment foot model (3D MFM). Methods: We reviewed medical records, simple radiographs, and gait analyses using a 3D MFM of patients who underwent TAA for severe varus ankle arthritis. Preoperative and postoperative gait data of 24 patients were compared. Postoperative gait analyses were done at least 1 year after surgery. Results: TAA significantly increased stride length (p = 0.024). The total range of motion of all planes in the hindfoot and forefoot showed no significant changes between preoperative and postoperative states. Hindfoot was significantly plantarflexed and pronated after TAA, while forefoot was significantly supinated in all phases. After appropriate calculations, the genuine coronal motion of the hindfoot showed no changes after TAA in all phases. Conclusions: TAA did not result in biomechanical improvements of segmental motions in the forefoot and hindfoot, except for changes to the bony structures. Therefore, it is important to point out to patients that TAA will not result in significant improvement of ankle function and range of motion. Clinicians can consider this information during preoperative counseling.

Outcome after total ankle replacement or ankle arthrodesis in end-stage ankle osteoarthritis on the basis of german-wide data: a retrospective comparative study over 10 years.

BACKGROUND: In symptomatic end-stage osteoarthritis of the ankle joint, total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis are the two primary surgical options for patients for whom conservative treatment fails. Published revision rates are often biased and difficult to compare. In this study, unplanned reoperation rates and revision rates were determined for both surgical interventions based on a large dataset, and risk factors for unplanned reoperations were identified. METHODS: German-wide health data of the largest German health-care insurance carrier between 2001 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed, and unplanned reoperation rates within 10 years were determined for index surgeries conducted in 2001 and 2002. Unplanned reoperation rates within 5 years for index surgeries conducted in 2001/2002 were compared to index surgeries conducted in 2006/2007. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for unplanned reoperations. RESULTS: After ankle arthrodesis, 19% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16-22%) of 741 patients needed to undergo an unplanned reoperation within ten years. After total ankle replacement, the unplanned reoperation rate was 38% [95% CI, 29-48%] among 172 patients. For initial surgeries conducted at a later date, unplanned reoperation rates within five years were 21% [95% CI, 19-24%] for 1,168 ankle arthrodesis patients and 23% [95% CI, 19-28%] for 561 total ankle replacement patients. Significant risk factors for unplanned reoperations after ankle arthrodesis in the initial cohort were age < 50 years (odds ratio [OR] = 4.65 [95% CI 1.10;19.56]) and osteoporosis (OR = 3.72 [95% CI, 1.06;13.11]); after total ankle replacement, they were osteoporosis (OR = 2.96 [95% CI, 1.65;5.31]), Patient Clinical Complexity Level (PCCL) grade 3 (OR = 2.19 [95% CI, 1.19;4.03]), PCCL grade 4 (OR = 2.51 [95% CI, 1.22;5.17]) and diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.48 [95% CI, 1.33;4.66]). Kaplan-Meier analyses including 1,525 ankle arthrodesis patients and 644 total ankle replacement patients revealed an average unplanned reoperation-free time of approximately 17 years for both procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Similar revision rates and unplanned reoperation rates for both procedures in the later-date cohort can likely be attributed to a learning curve for surgeons as well as advances in implant design. This analysis of billing health insurance data supports an increase in total ankle replacement surgeries.

A numerical investigation of stress, strain, and bone density changes due to bone remodelling in the talus bone following total ankle arthroplasty.

Total ankle arthroplasty is the gold standard surgical treatment for severe ankle arthritis and fracture. However, revision surgeries due to the in vivo failure of the ankle implant are a serious concern. Extreme bone density loss due to bone remodelling is one of the main reasons for in situ implant loosening, with aseptic loosening of the talar component being one of the primary reasons for total ankle arthroplasty revisions. This study is aimed at determining the performance and potential causes of failure of the talar component. Herein, we investigated the stress, strain, and bone density changes that take place in the talus bone during the first 6 months of bone remodelling due to the total ankle arthroplasty procedure. Computed tomography scans were used to generate the 3D geometry used in the finite element (FE) model of the Intact and implanted ankle. The Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR™) CAD files were generated, and virtual placement within bone models was done following surgical guidelines. The dorsiflexion physiological loading condition was investigated. The cortical region of the talus bone was found to demonstrate the highest values of stress (5.02 MPa). Next, the adaptive bone remodelling theory was used to predict bone density changes over the initial 6-month post-surgery. A significant change in bone density was observed in the talus bone due to bone remodelling. The observed quantitative changes in talus bone density over 6-month period underscore potential implications for implant stability and fracture susceptibility. These findings emphasise the importance of considering such biomechanical factors in ankle implant design and clinical management.

Printable functionally graded tibial implant for TAR: FE study comparing implant materials, FGM properties, and implant designs.

Tibial implants with functionally graded material (FGM) for total ankle replacement (TAR) can provide stiffness similar to the host tibia bone. The FGM implants with low stiffness reduce stress shielding but may increase implant-bone micromotion. A trade-off between stress shielding and implant-bone micromotion is required if FGMs are to substitute traditionally used Ti and CoCr metal implants. The FGM properties such as material gradation law and volume fraction index may influence the performance of FGM implants. Along with the FGM properties, the design of FGM implants may also have a role to play. The objective of this study was to examine FGM tibial implants for TAR, by comparing implant materials, FGM properties, and implant designs. For this purpose, finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted on 3D FE models of the intact and the implanted tibia bone. The tibial implants were composed of CoCr and Ti, besides them, the FGM of Ti and HA was developed. The FGM implants were modelled using exponential, power, and sigmoid laws. Additionally, for power and sigmoid laws, different volume fraction indices were taken. The effect of implant design was observed by using keel type and stem type TAR fixation designs. The results indicated that FGM implants are better than traditional metal implants. The power law is most suitable for developing FGM implants because it reduces stress shielding. For both power law and sigmoid law, low values of the volume fraction index are preferrable. Therefore, FGM implant developed using power law with 0.1 vol fraction index is ideal with the lowest stress shielding and marginally increased implant-bone micromotion. FGM implants are more useful for keel type fixation design than stem type design. To conclude, with FGMs the major complication of stress shielding can be solved and the longevity and durability of TAR implants can be enhanced.

Association of Timing of Hindfoot Arthrodesis and Early Reoperation Rates for Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Prior literature has demonstrated that ipsilateral hindfoot arthrodesis may increase the risk for reoperation after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and that simultaneous hindfoot arthrodesis with TAA could result in short-term clinical and radiologic improvements. The purpose of this study is to compare the reoperation rates after TAA with prior hindfoot arthrodesis vs simultaneous arthrodesis and TAA. METHODS: Patients who underwent primary TAA were identified in the PearlDiver database. Patients were sorted into 2 study cohorts: hindfoot arthrodesis prior to TAA and simultaneous arthrodesis and TAA. Propensity matched control cohorts were identified for each study group. Multivariate analysis was conducted to account for any confounding variables and covariates when identifying differences in complications between cohorts. RESULTS: 297 patients underwent TAA with prior hindfoot arthrodesis and 174 underwent TAA and hindfoot arthrodesis concurrently. The incidence of reoperation (13.8% vs 5.2%, P < .001) and infection (12.6% vs 5.9%, P = .011) for the simultaneous cohort was higher when compared to the matched control cohort. In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference when comparing the prior arthrodesis cohort to the matched control cohort in reoperation rates (5.1% vs 4.7%, P = .787) or infection rates (4.4% vs 4.8%, P = .734). Those undergoing simultaneous procedures had increased incidences of reoperation, wound complications, infection, and emergency department visits (P < .0167) when compared to the TAA with prior arthrodesis cohort. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing TAA and hindfoot arthrodesis concurrently were found to have higher rates of reoperation and infection when compared to the matched control cohort . In contrast, there was no difference in these rates in patients undergoing TAA with prior hindfoot arthrodesis compared with their matched control cohort. Patients undergoing simultaneous procedures had increased rates of reoperations, wound complications, infection, and emergency department visits compared to the TAA with prior arthrodesis cohort.

Three-Dimensional Printed Total Talus Replacement with a Concurrent Total Ankle Arthroplasty as a Personalized Approach for Advanced Ankle Osteoarthritis A Case Repor.

Ankle arthritis is becoming more common and can be pain-ful and debilitating. As the disease progresses, degenera-tive cystic changes may be found in the distal fibula, distal tibia, and talus. After failure of non-operative modalities, arthrodesis is often considered the surgical intervention of choice, but this leaves the patient with reduced range of motion, altered gait, and can negatively impact adjacent joints of the foot. Total ankle arthroplasty has been found to be an effective surgical option for ankle arthritis but is contraindicated in patients with talar collapse. When this is the case, a more personalized approach for preserving ankle motion is necessary. We present the case of a 65-year-old male with severe right ankle arthritis and talar collapse treated with a custom three-dimensionally printed talus and concurrent total ankle replacement with 2-year follow-up.

A numerical investigation for the development of functionally graded Ti/HA tibial implant for total ankle replacement: Influence of material gradation law and volume fraction index.

Stress shielding is one of the major concerns for total ankle replacement implants nowadays, because it is responsible for implant-induced bone resorption. The bone resorption contributes to the aseptic loosening and failure of ankle implants in later stages. To reduce the stress shielding, improvements can be made in the implant material by decreasing the elastic mismatch between the implant and the tibia bone. This study proposes a new functionally graded material (FGM) based tibial implant for minimizing the problem of stress shielding. Three-dimensional finite element (FE) models of the intact tibia and the implanted tibiae were created to study the influence of material gradation law and volume fraction index on stress shielding and implant-bone micromotion. Different implant materials were considered that is, cobalt-chromium, titanium (Ti), and FGM with Ti at the bottom and hydroxyapatite (HA) at the top. The FE models of FGM implants were generated by using different volume fractions and the rule of mixtures. The rule of mixtures was used to calculate the FGM properties based on the local volume fraction. The volume fraction was defined by using exponential, power, and sigmoid laws. For the power and sigmoid law varying volume fraction indices (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5) were considered. The geometry resembling STAR® ankle system tibial implant was considered for the present study. The results indicate that FGMs lower stress shielding but also marginally increase implant-bone micromotion; however, the values were within the acceptable limit for bone ingrowth. It is observed that the material gradation law and volume fraction index influence the performance of FGM tibial implants. The tibial implant composed of FGM using power law with a volume fraction index of 0.1 was the preferred option because it showed the least stress shielding.

Assessment of bone ingrowth around beaded coated tibial implant for total ankle replacement using mechanoregulatory algorithm.

The long-term performance of porous coated tibial implants for total ankle replacement (TAR) primarily depends on the extent of bone ingrowth at the bone-implant interface. Although attempts were made for primary fixation for immediate post-operative stability, no investigation was conducted on secondary fixation. The aim of this study is to assess bone ingrowth around the porous beaded coated tibial implant for TAR using a mechanoregulatory algorithm. A realistic macroscale finite element (FE) model of the implanted tibia was developed based on computer tomography (CT) data to assess implant-bone micromotions and coupled with microscale FE models of the implant-bone interface to predict bone ingrowth around tibial implant for TAR. The macroscale FE model was subjected to three near physiological loading conditions to evaluate the site-specific implant-bone micromotion, which were then incorporated into the corresponding microscale model to mimic the near physiological loading conditions. Results of the study demonstrated that the implant experienced tangential micromotion ranged from 0 to 71 µm with a mean of 3.871 µm. Tissue differentiation results revealed that bone ingrowth across the implant ranged from 44 to 96 %, with a mean of around 70 %. The average Young's modulus of the inter-bead tissue layer varied from 1444 to 4180 MPa around the different regions of the implant. The analysis postulates that when peak micromotion touches 30 µm around different regions of the implant, it leads to pronounced fibrous tissues on the implant surface. The highest amount of bone ingrowth was observed in the central regions, and poor bone ingrowth was seen in the anterior parts of the implant, which indicate improper osseointegration around this region. This macro-micro mechanical FE framework can be extended to improve the implant design to enhance the bone ingrowth and in future to develop porous lattice-structured implants to predict and enhance osseointegration around the implant.

3D kinematics of tibiotalar motion in patients with mobile bearing and fixed bearing total ankle arthroplasty: In vivo videofluoroscopic feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: As total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is an increasingly common surgical intervention for patients with end-stage ankle arthritis, there is a need to better understand the dynamic performance of prosthetic implants during activities of daily living. Our purpose was to quantify and compare relative tibiotalar motion during gait in persons with a fixed-bearing (FB) and mobile-bearing (MB) total ankle arthroplasty. We hypothesized a FB prosthesis would have lower tibiotalar range of motion (ROM). METHODS: Patients at least 12 months postoperative with either a FB (n=5) or MB (n=3) total ankle arthroplasty were tested. We used high-speed biplanar videoradiography to quantify tibiotalar kinematics during self-selected gait. Angular and linear ROM in three axes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: ROM for dorsiflexion-plantarflexion, internal-external rotation, and inversion-eversion angles in FB subjects averaged 7.47±4.05°, 7.39±3.63°, and 4.51±2.13°, respectively. ROM in MB subjects averaged 6.74±2.04°, 6.28±4.51°, and 5.68±2.81°, respectively. Linear ROM along anteroposterior, mediolateral, and superior-inferior axes in FB subjects averaged 1.47±2.07 mm, 1.13±1.49 mm, and 0.28±0.30 mm, respectively. Linear ROM in MB subjects averaged 0.68±1.44 mm, 0.60±1.41 mm, and 0.20±0.13 mm, respectively. We found no significant difference between the two groups for any of these ROM parameters (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Total ankle arthroplasty using either FB or MB design appears to confer similar ankle motion during the gait cycle in this biplanar fluoroscopic model. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Ankle Osteoarthritis.

Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is less common than knee and hip OA, and 75% to 80% of all presentations are posttraumatic in nature, resulting from either ligamentous or bony injury to the ankle. While the ankle joint cartilage demonstrates capacity for self-restoration, the ankle joint is sensitive to aberrancies in biomechanics and the inflammatory milieu after an injury is thought to contribute to the onset of posttraumatic ankle OA. Conservative care for ankle OA is currently centered on pain reduction, and derivatives that may delay the progression of ankle OA are the subject of ongoing investigation. Surgical management for end-stage ankle OA currently focuses on ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty. Specific indication for one procedure over the other is the topic of much debate. While total ankle arthroplasty has become more frequently used with the advent of newer generation systems, ankle arthrodesis may still be favored in younger patients with high-demand occupations.

Diagnosis and Management of Periprosthetic Joint Infections After Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a dreaded complication that may lead to catastrophic outcomes. Risk factors include a history of surgery on the operated ankle, low preoperative function scores, diabetes, extended surgical time, and postoperative wound-healing problems. Clinical presentation varies and may include increasing ankle pain and swelling, high temperature, local erythema, wound drainage, and dehiscence. The initial diagnostic evaluation should include plain radiographs, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein levels, and leukocyte count. In suspected cases with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein, aspiration of the ankle joint for synovial fluid analysis, Gram staining, and culture should be performed. Antibiotic therapy should be based on the pathogen identified, and the surgical strategy should be determined based on the time lines of PJI. Early PJI can be treated with irrigation and débridement with polyethylene exchange. The surgical treatment of choice for late PJI is two-stage revision arthroplasty, which includes removal of the implant, insertion of an antibiotic spacer, and reimplantation of a TAA. In certain chronic PJI cases, permanent articulating antibiotic spacers can be left in place or an ankle arthrodesis can be performed. Below-knee amputation is considered as the final option after limb-sparing procedures have failed.

Bone grafting for periprosthetic bone cysts following total ankle arthroplasty.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the success rate and functional outcomes of bone grafting for periprosthetic bone cysts following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Additionally, we evaluated the rate of graft incorporation and identified associated predisposing factors using CT scan. Methods: We reviewed a total of 37 ankles (34 patients) that had undergone bone grafting for periprosthetic bone cysts. A CT scan was performed one year after bone grafting to check the status of graft incorporation. For accurate analysis of cyst volumes and their postoperative changes, 3D-reconstructed CT scan processed with 3D software was used. For functional outcomes, variables such as the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale score and the visual analogue scale for pain were measured. Results: Out of 37 ankles, graft incorporation was successful in 30 cases. Among the remaining seven cases, four (10.8%) exhibited cyst re-progression, so secondary bone grafting was needed. After secondary bone grafting, no further progression has been noted, resulting in an overall 91.9% success rate (34 of 37) at a mean follow-up period of 47.5 months (24 to 120). The remaining three cases (8.1%) showed implant loosening, so tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis was performed. Functional outcomes were also improved after bone grafting in all variables at the latest follow-up (p < 0.05). The mean incorporation rate of the grafts according to the location of the cysts was 84.8% (55.2% to 96.1%) at the medial malleolus, 65.1% (27.6% to 97.1%) at the tibia, and 81.2% (42.8% to 98.7%) at the talus. Smoking was identified as a significant predisposing factor adversely affecting graft incorporation (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Bone grafting for periprosthetic bone cysts following primary TAA is a reliable procedure with a satisfactory success rate and functional outcomes. Regular follow-up, including CT scan, is important for the detection of cyst re-progression to prevent implant loosening after bone grafting.

Total ankle replacement versus ankle fusion for end-stage ankle arthritis: A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aims to systematically review the efficacy and safety of total ankle replacement (TAR) and ankle fusion (AF) as treatment options for end-stage ankle arthritis. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on data from multiple databases, including PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Construction and Building Materials, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus for RCTs and prospective cohort studies comparing TAR and AF in patients with end-stage ankle arthritis from inception up to June, 2023. Our primary outcomes of interest included patients' clinical function scores and complications. We employed Review Manager 5.4 and Stata/MP 14.0 software for the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Our analysis incorporated 13 comparative studies, including 11 prospective studies, one pilot RCT, and one RCT. The pooled results revealed no significant difference in postoperative Short Form-36 scores between the TAR and AF groups (MD = -1.19, 95% CI: -3.89 to 1.50, p = .39). However, the postoperative Foot and Ankle Ability Measure scores in the AF group were significantly higher than in the TAR group (MD = 8.30, 95% CI: 1.01-15.60, p = .03). There was no significant difference in postoperative complication rates between the TAR and AF groups (RR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.59 to 1.54, p = .85). CONCLUSION: Currently available evidence suggests no significant disparity in postoperative outcomes between TAR and AF. In the short term, TAR demonstrates better clinical scores than AF and lower complication rates. Conversely, in the long term, AF exhibits superior clinical scores and lower complication rates, although this difference is not statistically significant.

Do Patients With Insulin-Dependent and Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Have Different Risks for Complications After Total Ankle Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Patients with diabetes undergoing total ankle arthroplasty tend to be at greater risk for complications than those without diabetes. However, the effect of diabetes severity and how it impacts the risk for perioperative complications is less clear. The purpose of this study was to compare (1) complications, (2) length of hospital stay, and (3) readmissions within 30 days for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) patients without diabetes, patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes, and patients with insulin-dependent diabetes. METHODS: Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database, a total of 1803 patients undergoing TAA between 2007 and 2019 were collected. The relationship between diabetes status (no diabetes [n = 1,589], insulin-dependent [n = 169], and non-insulin-dependent [n = 45]) and outcomes were compared. Multivariate linear regression models were used to adjust for confounding variables such as age, sex, race, body mass index, smoking, steroid use, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, anesthesia type, dyspnea, and outpatient status. Statistical significance was set at P <.05. RESULTS: Insulin-dependent diabetes was an independent risk factor for increased odds of infection within 30 days (odds ratio 6.47, 95% CI 0.79-33.66; P = .043). Hospital length of stay was also increased in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (ß = 0.21, 95% CI 0.02-0.40; P = .031) and insulin-dependent diabetes (ß = 0.40, 95% CI 0.04-0.76; P = .028). However, neither diabetic state demonstrated a statistically significant increase in readmissions or wound complications within 30 days. CONCLUSION: Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes included in this cohort were at increased risk of having an infection within 30 days after TAA. Additionally, patients with diabetes status had an increased hospital length of stay. These results can inform patients on their potential outcomes after total ankle arthroplasty based on their diabetes status.