Short-Term Results of Our First 49 Scandanavian Total Ankle Replacements (STAR)

Background: Forty-seven consecutive patients treated for ankle arthritis with a Scandinavian total ankle replacement (STAR) by one surgeon were investigated retrospectively. Materials and Methods: A modification of the Foot Function Index (FFI), which scores pain and task difficulties, was followed prospectively. Patients were assessed clinically and radiologically. Failure was defined as revision of the prosthesis or arthrodesis for any reason. Results: In 47 patients (16 male, 31 female) 49 total ankle replacements were carried out between May 1999 and June 2004. Indication for surgery was end stage arthritis for rheumatoid arthritis in 29 cases, post-traumatic arthritis in 12, osteoarthritis in five and arthritis secondary to degenerative flatfoot in three. Mean followup time was 28 (12 to 67) months. The modified FFI (range, 0 to 100, a high score meaning more pain and disability) improved significantly from 59 before to 35 after surgery. The mean postoperative Kofoed ankle score was 68. Sixteen proce...