Pearls and Pitfalls for a Surgeon New to Ankle Replacements

Abstract

The role of the surgeon learning curve in total ankle replacement (TAR) has produced contradictory results. It is important for a new surgeon to know what clinical and radiological parameters are considered reliable and ideal. It is clear that exposure to a high-volume center will increase the reliability of a new surgeon approaching TAR. Implant choice may be influenced by surgeon training, and the debate of mobile versus fix-bearing prosthesis is still open. Anterior versus lateral approach is still an open debate, with any hypothetical advantages given by the direct vision on the center of rotation to be proven.

Keywords: Ankle arthritis; Fix bearing; Mobile bearing; Pitfalls; Prosthesis; TAR; Total ankle replacement.