Reoperation rates are higher for ankle arthroplasty than fusion, mostly related to implant design (AAOS)
TITLE: Comparing Reoperation after Ankle Joint Fusion or Replacement: Experience within a Prospective Multicenter Study
AUTHORS:
Alastair S E. Younger, MD, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Timothy R. Daniels, MD, FRCSC, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Mark Glazebrook, MD, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Murray J. Penner, MD, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Kevin J. Wing, MD, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Peter Dryden, MD, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
INTRODUCTION: Repeat surgery is a measure of failure of the primary surgery if the surgery is performed at the original site. Repeat surgery may be avoided in the future if the cause is recognized and procedures or devices modified accordingly. The repeat surgery results in cost to the system as a result of additional clinic visits, additional days in hospital, and extra hours of surgery plus the cost of additional devices and biologics. Payers may refuse a primary procedure that may be of benefit to patients because of the potential cost of repeat surgery. Ankle replacement may be refused in favor of fusion for som...
