Total Ankle Arthroplasty: Why does it fail?

Abstract

ABSTRACT Over the past 10 years, total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has been established as an alternative to treat osteoarthritis of the ankle. In this review, problems occurring after TAA will be analyzed and solutions presented. Furthermore, my own 18 years experience regarding the failure or poor success of a TAA implantation will be illustrated. The range of revision options from leaving the prosthesis to a complete modification as well as the explantation with subsequent arthrodesis will be presented algorithmically. Another problem of the poor success of prosthetic implants exists in the flat learning curve resulting from the surgeons’ lack of routine coupled with the difficult pathology with deformity and stiffness of the ankle. How to cite this article Thermann H. Total Ankle Arthroplasty: Why does it fail? J Foot Ankle Surg (Asia-Pacific) 2014;1(2):41-47.