New Jersey Low Contact Stress Total Ankle Replacement: Biomechanical Rationale and Review of 23 Cementless Cases

Abstract

A congruent contact, unconstrained, multiaxial ankle replacement has been developed for use without cement. A talar onlay component with a trochlear surface and central fixation fin uses a cylindrical articulating axis that reproduces the lateral talar curvature. A tibial inlay component with a 7° anteriorly inclined short fixation stem uses a flat loading plate, recessed anatomically into the distal tibia to distribute tibial loads to the ankle joint. For both components, made of cast cobalt-chromium-molybdenum, a 275-μm pore-size, sintered-bead, porous coating is used to allow tissue ingrowth stabilization. A congruent ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene bearing is inserted between the metallic implants. Its upper surface is flat, whereas its lower surface conforms to the trochlear surface, thereby providing unconstrained, sliding cylindrical motion with low contact stress on the bearing surfaces. Contact pressure and collateral ligaments maintain ankle stability during both static and dynamic loading conditions.

Clinically, 23 total ankle arthroplasties were performed in 21 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 24 months to 64 months with a mean of 35.3 months. Diagnoses included rheumatoid arthritis, 6 patients (26.1%); osteoarthritis, 4 patients (17.4%); post-traumatic arthritis, 10 patients (43.5%); avascular necrosis of the talus, 2 patients (8.7%), and painful ankle fusion, 1 patient (4.3%). Pain was the primary reason for surgery in all cases. Postoperatively, 87% of ankles had no pain or, at most, mild pain.

Postoperative complications included poor wound healing in four ankles, reflex sympathetic dystrophy in two ankles, deep infection in one ankle, and one bearing subluxation. No ankle replacements were removed and no fusions were performed for failed implants, although one bearing was exchanged without disrupting the metallic elements.

In this report, the suggestion is made that total ankle arthroplasty may have an improved application in various arthritis disorders when used with biologic fixation and unconstrained mobile bearings.