Early Prospective Results of the Salto-Talaris™ Total Ankle Prosthesis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Several fixed-bearing total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) systems are available in the United States (US). We report on the early clinical results of the largest known US cohort of patients who received a Salto-Talaris total ankle replacement for end-stage ankle arthritis. Methods We prospectively followed 67 TAA patients with a minimum clinical follow-up of 2 years. Patients completed standardized assessments, including visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot score, short form (36) health survey (SF-36), and the short musculoskeletal function assessment (SMFA), along with physical examination, functional assessment, and radiographic evaluation, preoperatively and yearly thereafter through most recent follow-up. Results Implant survival was 96% using metallic component revision, removal, or impending failure as endpoints, with a mean follow-up of 2.81 years. Three patients developed aseptic loosening, all involving the tibial component. Of these, one underwent revision to another fixed-bearing TAA system, one patient is awaiting revision surgery, and the other patient has remained minimally symptomatic and fully functional without additional surgery. Forty-five patients underwent at least one additional procedure at the time of their index surgery. The most common concurrent procedure performed was a deltoid ligament release (n = 21), followed by removal of previous hardware (n = 16) and gastrocnemius recession (n = 11). Eight patients underwent additional surgery following their index TAA, most commonly debridement for medial and/or lateral impingement (n = 4). Patients demonstrated significant improvement in VAS, AOFAS hindfoot, several SF-36 subscales, SMFA, and functional scores at most recent follow-up (p < 0.001). Conclusion Early clinical results indicate that the Salto-Talaris fixed-bearing TAA system can provide significant improvement in pain, quality of life, and standard functional measures in patients suffering from end-stage ankle arthritis. The majority of patients underwent at least one concurrent procedure, most commonly to address varus hindfoot deformity, hardware removal, or equinus contracture. Schweitzer Jr KM, Adams Jr SB, Viens NA, Queen RM, Easley ME, DeOrio JK, Nunley II JA. Early Prospective Results of the Salto-Talaris™ Total Ankle Prosthesis. The Duke Orthop J 2012;2(1):23-34.