Total ankle joint replacement: a clinical follow up.

The TPR total ankle joint replacement system (Smith & Nephew Richards) was implanted in 30 ankles in 25 patients. Twenty-three ankles in 18 patients were followed; 21 had rheumatoid arthritis and two had osteoarthritis. The average age at surgery was 62 years (range: 37 to 77), and the average follow up was 59 months (range: 37 to 89). The improvement was especially obvious with respect to pain and function. The average walking distance improved from 260 m preoperatively to 975 m postoperatively. Even though there was some improvement with respect to pain and function, the results of the study are disappointing in comparison to studies of ankle arthrodesis.