title: Failure modes of current total ankle replacement systems.
abstract: Methodology for evaluation of total ankle replacements is described. Fusion and its problems are discussed as are those of total ankle joint replacement. Fusion is an imperfect solution because it reduces ankle functionality and has significant complications. Early fixed-bearing total ankles were long-term failures and abandoned. Currently available fixed-bearing ankles have proved inferior to fusion or are equivalent to earlier devices. Only mobile-bearing devices have been shown reasonably safe and effective. One such device, the STAR, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration after a rigorous controlled clinical trial and is available for use in the United States.
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102-1982, USA. mjpappas32@comcast.net
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: Pappas
authors: Frederick F
authors: FF
authors: Buechel
mesh_terms: D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D001168:Arthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology; D001174:Arthrodesis; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome