Total Ankle Replacement

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Total Ankle Replacement

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Last Update: 6/02 11:40 am REPORT: MB #2833

BACKGROUND: Compared to replacements of the knee or hip joints, ankle

replacement has been less common. Previous ankle replacement technology was

modeled after knee and hip replacement technology. " The majority of ankle

replacements in the 1980s failed because people didn't appreciate the

difference of the ankle anatomy compared to knee and hip anatomy, "

Donley, vice chair of the department of orthopaedic surgery at the Cleveland

Clinic in Ohio, was quoted as saying.

Dr. Donley helped design and win FDA approval for Salto Talaris Anatomic

Ankle, a new total ankle replacement that mimics the anatomy and movement of

a natural ankle joint. He was the first doctor in the United States to

perform an ankle replacement using the new technique -- one, he says, that

is not only better for the patient, but for the surgeon as well. According

to Dr. Donley, the results are more reproducible and predictable, improving

the chances for long-term success. " We designed this new technology with the

goal of offering better natural movement and greater comfort with the active

patient in mind, " Dr. Donley said.

ARTHRITIS: A PAINFUL DISORDER:

The new device is used to treat patients suffering from arthritic conditions

like rheumatoid arthritis, post traumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, or a

previous ankle surgery that failed. Arthritis can cause pain, loss of

movement and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most serious types

of arthritis. It is an autoimmune disease that mostly affects women and

causes the lining of the joints to become inflamed. According to the

Arthritis Foundation, in 2006, roughly one in five adults in the United

States had arthritis, or 46 million people. From 1985 to 2006, the number of

people suffering from the condition increased by 11 million. Each year,

arthritis costs the United States economy $128 billion. Patients whose

conditions are severely debilitating may have damaged ankle joints,

requiring ankle replacement.

TOTAL ANKLE REPLACEMENT: The new ankle replacement option is designed to

preserve more of a patient's original bone and allow them to move more

naturally and feel less pain compared to traditional replacement methods.

Only a small incision is needed for the smaller ankle prosthesis, which does

not require fusion of the leg bones.

According to Dr. Donley, the end of the tibia -- a leg bone -- and the top

of the talus -- the ankle bone -- are shaved down. Then, one of the two

components of the prosthesis is attached to the talus bone and the other is

attached to the tibia. A plastic piece is inserted between the two

components to prevent them from rubbing. " The critical part of an ankle

replacement is that they have to be perfectly aligned in order to allow

normal motion of the ankle and to decrease the chance of the artificial

joint wearing out, " Dr. Donley said. The device is made of polyethylene and

chromium alloy and is available in three sizes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Cleveland Clinic

http://www.clevelandclinic.com/

(216) 445-2570