A 10-year survival analysis of 69 Bath and Wessex ankle replacements

Summary Sixty-nine ankles replaced with a Bath and Wessex total ankle prosthesis due to rheumatoid arthritis have been followed regularly since the index operation. The estimated clinical survival rate, i.e. the probability of at least one component being exchanged or the ankle being fused, was 0.83 at 5 years and 0.66 at 10 years. The corresponding values for radiographical survival of the tibial component were 0.68 and 0.53 and for the talar component 0.43 and 0.18. Twelve ankles had been fused and six exchanged. Due to deaths only 30 non-revised ankle prostheses were available for clinical examination. Of these, 23 were reported to be painless or only causing slight pain although most of them had at least one loose component.