Richard T Epperson1,2, Alexej Barg2, Dustin L Williams1,2,3,4,5, Charles L Saltzman2. 1. Department of Veterans Affairs, Bone & Joint Research Laboratory, Salt Lake City, Utah. 2. Department of Orthopaedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. 3. Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. 4. Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. 5. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Uniformed Services University of the Health Science, Bethesda, Maryland.
Abstract
CASE: We present a case report documenting the retrieval and histological analysis of a porous tantalum (P-Ta) total ankle replacement (TAR) from a 50-year-old woman after a below-knee transtibial amputation. This rare opportunity to examine an intact TAR may help to better understand the implant-bone relationship because it would be in situ. CONCLUSION: In this case study, we demonstrate bone ingrowth to the first layer of the P-Ta and organized trabecular orientation, suggesting that equal bone load was achieved on the base and the rails in both components using a transfibular surgical approach.
CASE: We present a case report documenting the retrieval and histological analysis of a poroustantalum (P-Ta) total ankle replacement (TAR) from a 50-year-old woman after a below-knee transtibial amputation. This rare opportunity to examine an intact TAR may help to better understand the implant-bone relationship because it would be in situ. CONCLUSION: In this case study, we demonstrate bone ingrowth to the first layer of the P-Ta and organized trabecular orientation, suggesting that equal bone load was achieved on the base and the rails in both components using a transfibular surgical approach.