Impact of complications in total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis analyzed with a validated outcome measurement.

Background: Major modifications in the design and techniques of total ankle replacement have challenged the perception that ankle arthrodesis is the treatment of choice for end-stage ankle arthritis. High complication and revision rates have been reported after both procedures.

Methods: We performed radiographic evaluations at a mean of thirty-nine months following 114 total ankle replacements done with use of commonly used implants and at a mean of thirty-seven months following forty-seven ankle arthrodeses.