[Aseptic loosening of total ankle replacement : Two-stage revision with bone augmentation of osseous defects and secondary prosthesis implantation].

OBJECTIVE

To remove loosened ankle prosthesis components, perform osseous defect augmentation, and reimplant definitive prosthesis components to preserve ankle range of motion.

INDICATIONS

Aseptic loosening of the tibial and/or talar ankle prosthesis components with substantial bone defect.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

General surgical/anesthesiological risks, infections, critical soft tissue conditions, nonmanageable hindfoot instability, neurovascular impairment of the lower extremity, neuroarthropathy, substantial nonreconstructable osseous defects with or without cysts on the tibial and/or talar side, noncompliance, primary total ankle replacement (TAR) using intramedullary fixation (stem fixation), severely reduced bone quality, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, smoking, unrealistic patients' expectations, high activity in sports.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Exposure of the ankle joint using the previous incision. Mobilization and removal of loosened prosthesis components. Debridement of bone stock. Assessment and measurement of osseous defects. Harvesting of iliac crest autograft. Screw fixation of iliac crest autograft. Placement of polyethylene inlay as a spacer. Wound closure in layers at the ankle and the iliac crest. Implantation of definitive prosthesis components.

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT

A soft wound dressing. Thromboprophylaxis recommended. Mobilization on postoperative day 1 using a stabilizing walking boot/cast for 6 weeks (sole contact but no weight bearing). Clinical and radiographic follow-up 3 months postoperatively including computed tomography to assess osseous consolidation. After the second surgery, patient mobilization on postoperative day 1 with 15 kg partial weight bearing using a stabilizing walking boot/cast for 6 weeks. Following clinical and radiographic follow-up at 6 weeks, full weight bearing is initiated gradually.

RESULTS

From January 2007 to December 2012, a two-stage revision TAR was performed in 5 patients (46.8 and 71.4 years). The time between the initial TAR and revision was 2.4-11.5 years. No intra-/perioperative complications. Substantial pain relief in all patients. Comparable preoperative and postoperative ankle range of motion.