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Periprosthetic Ankle Fractures

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Total ankle replacements (TAR) are an increasingly popular option for the management of tibiotalar arthritis. Periprosthetic fracture is an uncommon but challenging complication of patients undergoing arthroplasty. Evidence on the management of and outcomes from periprosthetic fractures about a TAR are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients with postoperative periprosthetic fractures about a TAR and determine clinical outcomes of these patients following operative fixation. Additionally, we propose an algorithm for the management of these patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 400 patients who underwent TAR from 2007 through 2017. Charts were reviewed and patients with postoperative fractures were selected for inclusion. Patients with a fracture >4 weeks from index surgery were considered candidates for inclusion. Patients with intraoperative fractures were excluded. Univariate analyses were used to identify differences in outcomes. Results: 32 patients were identified with a postoperative periprosthetic fracture about a TAR. Average age was 65.3 years. Average time to fracture was 39.5 months while average follow up from fracture was 26 months. Fractures were primarily located about the medial malleolus (60.6%). 76.8% of fractures were deemed to be stable (Table 1); 75% of these fractures were managed with ORIF or IMN, while 21% of these fractures were treated with immobilization. 80% of patients with stable fractures treated with immobilization ultimately required surgical intervention. 24.2% of fractures were deemed to be unstable. Fractures about the talus were always unstable and always required revision TAR surgery (100%, p= 0.0002). Conclusion: This retrospective review demonstrates that the majority of periprosthetic fractures about a TAR involve the medial malleolus. Additionally, the majority of stable fractures about a TAR required operative fixation. Despite attempts at nonoperative management, management with immobilization is fraught with a high rate of subsequent surgical intervention. Fractures about the talus should be treated with revision TAR surgery or arthrodesis. Based on these findings, we propose an algorithm for the management of patients with a periprosthetic fracture about a TAR.