Reverse Evans peroneus brevis medial ankle stabilization for balancing valgus ankle contracture during total ankle replacement

Total Ankle Replacement with Severe Valgus Deformity: Technique and Surgical Strategy

Correction of severe valgus deformity of the foot and ankle with ankle replacement is challenging. We describe the controversies and specific issues of surgical management and provide a detailed surgical strategy for management of this common deformity. A reliable technique for deltoid reconstruction is also described and illustrated in detail.

Intraoperative Radiation Exposure During Revision Total Ankle Replacement

Intraoperative C-arm image intensification is required for primary total ankle replacement implantation. Significant radiation exposure has been linked to these procedures; however, the radiation exposure during revision total ankle replacement remains unknown. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the radiation exposure encountered during revision total ankle replacement. The data from 41 patients were retrospectively analyzed from a prospective database: 19 Agility(™) to Agility(™); 4 Agility(™) to Custom Agility(™); 9 Agility(™) to INBONE(®) II; 5 Agility(™) to Salto Talaris(®) XT; 2 Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement Prosthesis to Salto Talaris(®) XT; and 2 INBONE(®) I to INBONE(®) II revision total ankle replacements were performed. Two broad categories were identified: partial revision (Agility(™) to Agility(™), Agility(™) to Custom Agility(™), INBONE(®) I to INBONE(®) II) and complete conversion (Agility(™) to INBONE(®) II, Agility(™) to Salto Talaris(®) XT, Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement Prosthesis to Salto Talaris(®) XT). The mean radiation exposure per case was significant at 3.49 ± 2.21 mGy. Complete conversions, specifically Agility(™) to INBONE(®) II, exhibited the greatest radiation exposure and C-arm time. Revision implant selection and revision type (complete or partial) directly contributed to radiation exposure. Accordingly, revision systems requiring less radiation exposure are preferable. Surgeons should strive to minimize intraoperative complications and limit additional procedures to those necessary, because both lead to additional radiation exposure.

Use of Soft-Tissue Procedures for Managing Varus and Valgus Malalignment with Total Ankle Replacement

Achieving frontal plane alignment of the ankle joint during total ankle replacement is essential for long-term success. Tendon and ligament lengthening, ligament reinforcement, tendon transfer, nonanatomic tendon transfer ligament reconstruction, and periarticular osteotomies are safe, straightforward, minimally invasive, and reproducible procedures to correct varus and valgus deformities associated with end-stage degenerative joint disease. Using reproducible topographic anatomic landmarks is essential to these techniques properly and limit complications. The approach to frontal plane deformities is stepwise, with liberal use of tendon and ligament lengthening and reconstruction, a low threshold for nonanatomic tendon transfer ligament reconstructions, and tendon transfers and/or periarticular osteotomies.

Incidence of Complications During Initial Experience with Revision of the Agility and Agility LP Total Ankle Replacement Systems: A Single Surgeon's Learning Curve Experience

As the frequency in which foot and ankle surgeons are performing primary total ankle replacement (TAR) continues to build, revision TAR will likely become more commonplace, creating a need for an established benchmark by which to evaluate the safety of revision TAR as determined by the incidence of complications. Currently, no published data exist on the incidence of intraoperative and early postoperative complications during revision of the Agility or Agility LP Total Ankle Replacement Systems during the surgeon learning curve period; therefore, the authors sought to determine this incidence during the senior author's learning curve period.