Tibiotarsal Prosthesis

Tibiotarsal prosthesis is indicated in patients with arthritic degeneration of the ankle. Generally some time after an injury, the patient complains of worsening pain in the affected ankle. The specialist requests incumbent radiographic examinations, and the arthrotic picture is highlighted. Less commonly, joint degeneration may be consequent to inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or primary forms of arthrosis.

If up to twenty years ago’ ankle prosthesis was viewed with distrust by the orthopedic surgeon because of the poor results of the first designed models, we now have encouraging results reaching 80% survival at twenty years after the first implantation.

The ideal candidate is a patient who is no longer very young, suffering from painful arthrosis of the ankle, with limited varus or valgus deformity, and with good bone stock. Absolute contraindications, however, are previous joint infections, severe deformity, bone deficiencies, and poor ankle skin condition. After surgery, a chalk cast is maintained until the wound heals, which generally occurs after two weeks, and then physiotherapy and progressive loading can be started immediately.