We present our preoperative, operative, and postoperative protocols for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the ankle with total ankle replacement via lateral transfibular approach.
Total ankle replacement (TAR) is a valid option for the treatment of ankle osteoarthritis. The traditional surgical approach for TAR is the anterior approach. Recently, the lateral transfibular approach to the ankle has gained popularity since a new TAR implant was designed to be performed via this approach that results in an ideal visualization of the center of rotation of the ankle and curved resections that allow for sparing bone cuts. The aim of the present paper is to present our preoperative, operative, and postoperative protocols for the treatment of the osteoarthritis of the ankle with TAR via lateral approach. We present our preoperative clinical and radiographic protocol. In addition, we describe our surgical technique with some technical tips. Finally, we report our follow-up schedule that includes the collection of clinical, functional, and radiographic data. The results of this procedure are encouraging: TAR through a lateral transfibular approach provides reliable pain relief and improvements in functional outcomes in patients with ankle osteoarthritis.
The most frequent etiology of ankle osteoarthritis is the post-traumatic origin. In fact, it is often secondary to traumatic injuries that typically affect young patients1,2. Ankle osteoarthritis influences patients' quality of life to the same degree as hip osteoarthritis and even more than knee osteoarthritis3. Ankle fusion has been considered the gold-standard for the treatment of ankle osteoarthritis, but some studies show that it confers augmented stress and increased risk of osteoarthritis of the adjacent joints4,5,6,7; furthermore, there still exist a number of complications associated with ankle fusion, such as equinus or talipes deformity and painful non-union8,9. With the evolution of surgical techniques and implant designs, total ankle replacement (TAR) has become an excellent alternative to ankle fusion for a surgeon with a proper learning-curve10,11,12.
TAR allows the preservation of ankle range of motion and protects from adjacent joint degeneration13. The anterior approach permits an optimal visualization of the coronal alignment; at the same time, this approach is inclined to wound-healing complications14,15. Recently, a novel TAR implant was designed to be performed via the lateral transfibular approach that results in an ideal visualization of the center of rotation and curved resections that allow for sparing bone cuts16; moreover, this approach permits the implantation of components perpendicular to the bone trabeculae, thus limiting the shear forces at the level of the bone-implant interface16. This prosthesis consists of a fixed-bearing implant; an alignment coordinate system guides the bone resections and facilitates addressing both coronal and sagittal deformities17. The early results of ankle arthroplasty using this TAR implant have been published 12,16,17,18. The aim of the present paper is to present our preoperative, operative, and postoperative protocols for the treatment of the osteoarthritis of the ankle with TAR via the lateral approach.
Patient selection starts with a careful clinical examination and history. A medical history of inflammatory or vascular disease, neuropathy or neurologic disease and complicated diabetes may modify the indication. Poor soft tissue envelope of the ankle should be carefully evaluated because it may compromise the wound healing: skin and subcutaneous soft-tissue may already have been compromised from injury or previous surgery. The use of drugs that may influence healing must be considered. Muscle and tendon function, ankle and hindfoot alignment, and ankle range of motion should be evaluated: a detailed examination can indicate whether accessory procedures are needed at the time of surgery19.
We suggest always discussing the expectations of the patient concerning the outcomes of the procedure and the need for compliance with post-operative care. TAR is indicated for patients with an ankle joint disease due to post-traumatic, rheumatoid, or primary arthritis not responsive to conservative options that include physical therapy, activity modification, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs19. Also, lateral ankle instability may represent a cause of joint degeneration defined as ligamentous posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis20. In addition, secondary osteoarthritis can be associated with systemic diseases: avascular necrosis of the talus, gout, hemophilia, post-infectious arthritis, and hereditary hemochromatosis21,22,23,24.
During the preoperative consultation, we routinely record the following clinical and functional scores: American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score25,26,27, 12-Item Short Form Health Survey27,28, and Visual Analogue scale (VAS) pain score29.
All methods described have been approved by our institutional review board and the local ethics committee and they have been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.
1. Preoperative Radiographic Evaluation
2. Surgical Technique17
NOTE: This procedure is performed under general or regional anesthesia (spinal anesthesia).
3. Postoperative Care
4. Clinical and Radiographic Follow-Up
We collected the results of a consecutive series of 114 patients (114 ankles) who underwent TAR via lateral transfibular approach between May 2013 and July 2016. All operative procedures were carried out by the senior author.
Data were analyzed with a statistical software (see Table of Materials). The ANOVA and kappa tests were performed40,41. For k-score, the 95% confidence intervals were defined. We considered p-values for tests significant at p<0.05.
The mean AOFAS hindfoot score improved from 32.2 preoperatively (range 7-67) to 85.2 at the latest follow-up (range 59-100). The average Physical Health Composite Scale (PCS) of the SF-12 score improved from 30.7 preoperatively (range 19.4-53.6) to 44.9 at the latest follow-up (range 21.9-61.9); the average Mental Health Composite Scale (MCS) of the SF-12 score improved from 44.3 preoperatively (range 23.5-71.4) to 49.9 at the latest follow-up (range 35.0-65.2). The mean VAS pain score improved from 8.4 preoperatively (range 4-10) to 2.1 at the latest follow-up (range 0-6).
The differences between the preoperative scores and the follow-up scores were statistically significant. A summary of the representative results is provided in Table 1.
Figure 1. Preoperative measurements on lateral weight-bearing radiographs. Lateral weight-bearing ankle view of a patient with ankle osteoarthritis. The following measurements are marked: anterior distal tibial angle and tibio-talar ratio. ADTA: anterior distal tibial angle, the angle traced between the line that connects the anterior and posterior tibial edges at the level of the articular surface and the axis of the tibia. Tibio-talar ratio: draw a segment parallel to the ground starting from the posterior edge of the talus (C, corresponding to the intersection of the calcaneal cortex with the posterior subtalar surface) to the anterior edge of the talus (A, corresponding to the projection of the anterior edge of the talus onto the straight line); this segment is divided into two further segments by the axis of the tibia; the tibio-talar ratio is the ratio of the length of the posterior talar segment (BC) to the longitudinal length of the talus (AC), expressed as a percentage. Postoperative tibio-talar ratio is measured with the same technique.
Figure 2. Preoperative measurements on antero-posterior weight-bearing radiographs. Antero-posterior weight-bearing ankle view of a patient with ankle osteoarthritis. The following parameters are measured: the lateral distal tibial angle and the tibio-talar surface angle. LDTA: lateral distal tibial angle, the lateral angle between the tibial axis and the straight line that connects the medial and lateral points of the articular surface of the tibia. Tibio-talar surface angle: the angle subtended medially by the tibial axis and the straight line that connects the medial and lateral edges of the talar articular surface. The postoperative tibio-talar surface angle is measured with the same technique.
Figure 3. Skin incision for lateral transfibular approach to the ankle. The incision is made along the lateral malleolus curving toward the sinus tarsi.
Figure 4. Antero-posterior weight-bearing control radiographs. Postoperative antero-posterior weight-bearing ankle view of TAR implanted through lateral transfibular approach 6 months after the surgery. The following measurement is marked: alpha angle. α: alpha angle, the lateral angle between the anatomical axis of the tibia and the articular surface of the tibial component. The tibio-talar surface angle is also measured during the follow-up with the same technique shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5. Lateral weight-bearing control radiographs. Postoperative lateral weight-bearing ankle view of TAR implanted through lateral transfibular approach 6 months after the surgery. The following measurements are marked: beta angle, gamma angle. β: beta angle, the angle subtended anteriorly by the anatomical axis of the tibia and the articular surface of the tibial component. γ: gamma angle, it is subtended by a segment connecting the anterior and the posterior points of the talar component and a straight line drawn along the longitudinal axis of the neck of the talus. The tibio-talar ratio is also measured during the follow-up with the same technique shown in Figure 1.
Preoperative mean (range) | Postoperative mean (range) | p-value | |
AOFAS | 32.2 (7-67) |
85.2 (59-100) |
< 0.001 |
VAS | 8.4 (4-10) |
2.1 (0-6) |
< 0.001 |
SF-12 PCS | 30.7 (19.4-53.6) |
44.9 (35.0-65.2) |
< 0.001 |
SF-12 MCS | 44.3 (23.5-71.4) |
49.9 (35.0-65.2) |
< 0.001 |
Table 1. Summary of the representative results. Comparison of preoperative clinical scores and postoperative clinical scores. Data is presented as mean (range). AOFAS: American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score. VAS: Visual Analogue scale pain score. SF-12 PCS: Physical Health Composite Scale of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey. SF-12 MCS: Mental Health Composite Scale of the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey.
We reported the methods and protocol we use performing TAR with lateral transfibular approach. The absolute contraindications for TAR are talar avascular necrosis involving more than 50% of the bone-stock, acute or active infection with or without osteomyelitis, diabetic syndrome with polyneuropathy, high anesthesiologic risks, neuromuscular disorders, peripheral vascular disease, and neuroarthropathy (Charcot arthropathy of the midfoot or hindfoot)19,42. The relative contraindications are diabetic syndrome without polyneuropathy, immunosuppressive therapy and severe osteoporosis19. Patients active in sports and physically demanding activities should be informed about potential increased risk of wear and aseptic loosening43,44,45,46.
We modified the manufacturer's surgical technique with some tips derived from personal experience17. The first modification deals with the incision: the manufacturer's guidelines suggest a straight incision. The straight incision sometimes does not allow for a whole removal of the anterior osteophytes because of a problematic achievement of an appropriate view of the anterior joint line. We prefer to curve the incision toward the sinus tarsi in order to address this problem. This kind of incision permits the removal of all the osteophytes that could obstacle the achievement of the neutral dorsiflexion prior to the bone cuts: this is a key-step to achieve a satisfactory range of motion at the end of the procedure. Moreover, the manufacturer's surgical technique suggests a 1.5-cm oblique fibular osteotomy in the superolateral-inferomedial direction: that kind of osteotomy routinely requires a fixation with the plate and does not require adequate fibular shortening or lengthening for major coronal deformity. We prefer to perform a longer osteotomy beginning at the posterior border of the lateral malleolus (6-7 cm proximal to the joint line), and directing the osteotomy distally toward the anterior border of the lateral malleolus (2 cm proximal to the joint line). This kind of osteotomy facilitates addressing a great number of fibula-length issues and, consequently, a great number of coronal malalignments. Also, it permits a fixation with lag screws, decreasing the risk of hardware removal consequent to subjective discomfort or impaired wound healing. Despite these advantages, the adherences between fibular malleolus and the adjacent soft tissues could make the reflection of the lateral malleolus more complicated in case of long fibular osteotomy. Moreover, the manufacturer's surgical technique includes the use of cement to fix the implants. However, we do not cement the components because an appropriate stability is normally obtained without cementation. Furthermore, the osseointegration features of the implants' material ensure a stable and durable fixation.
Additionally, the manufacturer's guidelines consider the exposure of the medial gutter as part of the surgical technique, while we reserve it only in those cases in which osteophytes are present after the ''Tibia #2'' cut. In fact, the bone cutting through the ''Tibia #2'' hole of the resection guide usually offers a sufficient cleaning of the medial gutter avoiding a medial impingement.
The main limitation of this technique is that the lateral transfibular approach required systematically a fibular malleolus osteotomy that is not routinely necessary in TAR performed through an anterior approach47. The disadvantages are: a lengthening of the operative time (also in consideration of the need for fibular fixation at the end of the procedure) and the risk of subsequent hardware removal in case of patient discomfort. Despite these disadvantages, the fibular osteotomy allows the management of the coronal malalignments consequent to fibula-length issues. Moreover, the osteotomy technique presented in our protocol usually allows for a stable fixation with screws alone, thus dramatically decreasing the need for further hardware removal due to plate discomfort, even if it makes the fibular reflection more complicated. Another limitation is that, though some studies regarding the results of TAR with lateral transfibular approach have already been published, the encouraging results of this technique must be confirmed by long-term follow-up studies12,16,17,18.
A critical step of this protocol is a correct preoperative evaluation in order to properly plan the surgical procedure. The preoperative clinical and radiographic evaluation aims to identify any foot and ankle malalignment that should be addressed in order to achieve a well-balanced implant. Restoring the appropriate position of the tibial and talar components and the correct foot and ankle alignment are essential for the long-term success of the implant35,48,49.
Another critical step is represented by the postoperative care: postoperative steps must be carefully followed in order to protect the healing of fibular osteotomy and to avoid early postoperative complications.
In conclusion, in consideration of the early results of this prosthesis reported in previous studies16,17, and of the functional and postoperative pain scores reported in this article, the treatment of ankle osteoarthritis with TAR via lateral transfibular approach can provide reliable pain relief and improvements in range of motion and functional outcomes.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
The procedures are performed using the Zimmer Trabecular Metal Total Ankle prosthesis (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN).
Zimmer Total Ankle | Zimmer, Inc. | 82-0175-162-00 | Total Ankle Replacement |
Calcaneus pin | Zimmer, Inc. | 00-4501-040-00 | Trans-calcaneal pin |
4.0 mm Pin | Zimmer, Inc. | 00-4501-040-04 | Talar pin |
5.0 mm Pin | Zimmer, Inc. | 00-4501-040-05 | Tibial pins |
1.6 mm k-wire | Zimmer, Inc. | 00-4501-040-01 | 1.6 mm Kirschner wire |
Moonray BlueLIne Dual | SIMAD | Mobile C-arm | |
Pre-Cut Guide Drill | Zimmer, Inc. | 00-4501-059-00 | Precutting bone drill |
Bur | Zimmer, Inc. | 00-4501-076-00 | Bone resection burr |
Micro 100 Drill | Conmed Corporation | 5053-009 | Pneumatic handpieces |
3.5 mm ULS screws | Zimmer, Inc. | Fibular fixation screws | |
Matlab version 2008 | The MathWorks Inc. | Statistical software |