Early Functional, Radiological Outcomes and Satisfaction Rates of Total Ankle Arthroplasty in an Asian Population

Abstract

Background. Few studies have outlined the outcomes and complications in Asians undergoing total ankle arthroplasty. This study reports the functional, radiological outcomes and satisfaction rates in our Asian population. Methods. Patients who underwent primary total ankle arthroplasty from 2007 to 2013 were recruited. Outcomes evaluated were the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Score (AHS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Short Form 36 (SF-36)questionnaire. Outcome scores were collected prospectively up to 2 years. Patient satisfaction was evaluated on a 6-point scale based on North American Spine Society Low Back Pain Instrument and classified as satisfied or unsatisfied. Results. Forty-one patients underwent primary total ankle arthroplasty. All patients experienced improvements in AHS, VAS, and Mental Component Summary score of the SF-36 at both 6-month and 2-year postoperative interval. The mean AHS score improved from 35 ± 19 points preoperatively to 64 ± 24 at 6 months (P<.001) and 72 ± 26 at 24 months (P <.001). VAS scores improved from 7 ± 2 preoperatively to 3 ± 3 (P < .001) at 6 and 24 months. The Physical Component Summary (PCS) of the SF-36 has an established minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of 5. The mean improvement in PCS in our cohort met this MCID for the PCS; 63% and 71% of patients were satisfied with the procedure at 6 months and 2 years postoperatively, respectively. Revision rate in this series was 9.7%. Conclusion. Total ankle arthroplasty has good patient satisfaction rates, with favorable early clinical outcome in Asian patients. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level II