{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.014470677837014471, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0, 'mean_word_length': 5.0, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Understanding the Postoperative Course and Rehabilitation Protocol for Total Ankle Arthroplasty

Total ankle arthroplasty has been a topic that has been gaining in popularity as current-generation prostheses allow for surgeons to reproduce anatomic alignment and ultimately improve outcomes. As in all types of total joint replacement, the postoperative course and treatment regime can be as important, if not more important, than the surgery itself. This often-neglected topic is discussed in this issue’s roundtable discussion by a group of surgeons whom I consider to be authorities in both ankle arthroplasty as well as its postoperative course. We have also been fortunate to get the thoughts from a physical therapist who is treating total ankle patients in his clinic on a weekly basis. As surgeons we must remember that what we do outside of the operating room can have a tremendous impact on the outcomes of our patients. I trust you will enjoy this section as much as I have, learning about the different approaches from world-class surgeons in North America. Let us start with the immediate postoperative care of ankle replacements. How are each of you managing your incisions? What type of closure? How are you dressing your total ankles postoperatively? And are you using drains or negative pressure?