Total Ankle Joint Replacement

Abstract

• The ankle is an inherently stable, kinematically simple joint that bears tremendous compression forces with relative ease because of a large load-bearing surface area. Disabling disease of the ankle is less common than at the hip or knee joints, but is not rare. Ankle arthrodesis seems less than ideal as a technique of surgical treatment. Total ankle joint replacement seems to be a clinically possible alternative on the basis of experience with 76 procedures performed during a 31-month period. Continuing clinical experience is resulting in more gratifying results by the avoidance of technical errors and better selection of patients. (Arch Surg 112:1105-1109, 1977)