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Both ankle arthroplasty and arthrodesis improve function

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Bruce J. Sangeorzan

KEYSTONE, Colo. – Both ankle arthroplasty and ankle arthrodesis improved function for patients with arthritis, according to a study presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, here.

“Surgical treatment of end-stage arthritis is effective at reducing functional limitations and improving pain in both groups at similar functionalities,” Bruce J. Sangeorzan, MD, said.

The team studied 203 patients who underwent ankle arthrodesis or arthroplasty. The inclusion criteria were adults who were cognitively intact and had no other lower extremity disorders. A study coordinator looked at all data to prevent bias.

The team required each patient to complete a Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (MFA) and SF-36 at 6, 12 and 24 months. Preoperative MFA scores improved in both groups at the 1- to 2-year follow-up. However, there was a significant difference between the groups at 1 year but not at 2 years, according to Sangeorzan.

“The trend starts in favor of arthroplasty,” he said.

There were no significant differences in SF-36 scores.

“The pain score was interesting because there was a significantly increased pain score at 1 year in the arthroplasty group but not at 2 years,” Sangeorzan said.

Each patient wore a Stepwatch 3 (Orthocare Innovations; Oklahoma City, OK) activity monitor for 14 days. At 1 year, the arthroscopy group showed a significant difference in high activity and high frequency steps, but there was no significant difference in either group overall.

Reference:

• Sangeorzan BJ, Benich MR, Hansen ST, et al. Prospective comparison of functional outcome after ankle arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty. Paper #27. Presented at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. July 13-16. Keystone, Colo.

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