Breakthrough Procedure Helps Patients with Total Ankle Replacement Surgery

A breakthrough procedure is helping patients when it comes to total ankle replacement surgery.

Dr. Lew C. Schon, director of orthopedic innovation at The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, studied the procedure, called Zimmer Biomet Trabecular Metal Total Ankle replacement.

Researchers monitored the 130 patients who got the surgery over a period of five to 12 years, after which time, all of the patients’ ankle implants were still durable and functional.

Unlike most traditional implants, surgeons performing this procedure place the implant from the side, akin to current methods for fixing ankle fractures.

“We slide the implant in from the side, which is a little less traumatic than going from the front. Because the people have had prior approaches from the side, wound complications going from the side again are going to be lower than if you go through other incisions that may not have the blood supply to support it,” Dr. Schon said.

Researchers found this replacement surgery works well in both younger and older patients, and it was especially beneficial for patients under age 55, a population that has higher fracture rates.

View Mercy orthopedic surgeon and foot-and-ankle specialist Dr. Lew Schon’s insights regarding advancements in total ankle replacement.