The salto total ankle arthroplasty: Clinical and radiological outcomes at five years

Abstract Background Modern designs of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) have the potential to treat symptomatic ankle OA without adversely affecting ankle biomechanics. We present the mid-term results of a modern, mobile-bearing TAA design. Methods TAA was performed in 50 consecutive patients (55 ankles) in an independent, prospective, single-centre series. Implant survival, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and radiographic outcomes are presented at a mean of five years (range 2–10.5years). Results A total of three patients (four ankles) died and two (two ankles) were lost to follow-up. Three TAAs were revised for aseptic loosening (in two cases) or infection. Two further patients underwent reoperations, one for arthroscopic debridement of anterolateral synovitis and one for grafting of an asymptomatic tibial cyst. With all-cause revision as an endpoint, implant survival was 93.3% at five to ten years (95% CI 80.5%–97.8%). If reoperations are included this falls to 90.2% (95% CI 75.6%–96.3%) at five years. No other patient demonstrated radiographic evidence of loosening or subsidence. PROMs and satisfaction were excellent at latest follow-up. Conclusion At five years, the outcomes for this design of TAA in this series were excellent, and were similar to those of previously published series from the designer centre.