2007 Meta-analysis finds comparable intermediate outcomes between total ankle replacement and ankle fusion

Description: A systematic review of intermediate and long-term outcomes for total ankle replacement found excellent or good results in 82% of cases who received a second-generation ankle device compared to 72% of cases treated with ankle fusion. In addition, total ankle replacement resulted in a lower revision rate than fusion, according to the study. Steven L. Haddad, MD, and colleagues searched Medline for all relevant articles comparing outcomes between total ankle replacement and ankle fusion published between 1990 and 2005. They also reviewed relevant abstracts from major orthopedic meetings for 2003 and 2004. The researchers focused outcomes for second-generation ankle implants.