Authors' recommendations: Health Problem: End-stage ankle arthritis is characterized by severe arthritic ankle pain accompanied by a loss of ankle mobility and function that significantly interferes with daily activities and reduces quality of life. Technology Description: Total ankle replacement (TAR) is one treatment option that involves surgical removal of the dysfunctional, painful ankle joint and replacement with a prosthetic device. TAR was developed as a method to relieve pain and restore joint function in patients with intractable disease resulting from conditions such as osteoarthritis, posttraumatic osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. Controversy: The significant drawbacks of ankle joint fusion led to the development of an alternative technique—the ankle prosthesis. While TAR was developed as an alternative to ankle arthrodesis (AA), it is a technically demanding procedure with a significant learning curve and may carry its own risks. Key Questions: How does TAR compare with AA for treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis? How do different TAR implant designs compare with each other for treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis? Is TAR safe? Have definitive patient selection criteria been established for TAR?

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2017

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=10748

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: Winifred S. Hayes, Inc