Implantation of a Canine Total Ankle Replacement Prosthesis Using a Lateral Surgical Approach is Accurate and Leads to a Stable Joint
🔍 Key Findings
- A lateral surgical approach can successfully implant a canine total ankle replacement (cTAR) prosthesis with accurate implant orientation and stable joint mechanics.
- Post-implantation angular laxity was greater after the lateral approach (15.5°) than the medial approach (9.5°, p = 0.044), though joints remained within acceptable stability limits.
- External rotational laxity increased after implantation with both approaches (lateral +5.4°, medial +6.7°), suggesting mild postoperative rotational laxity likely related to soft-tissue dissection.
- Implant alignment differed minimally between approaches, with most alignment differences <4°, indicating comparable surgical accuracy.
- Bone–implant interface gaps were small and similar between approaches, with ~96% of gaps <1 mm, indicating excellent implant seating.
- Damage to the short lateral collateral ligament occurred in 4/5 lateral-approach limbs, likely due to its insertion near the talar articular surface.
- Technical challenges with the lateral approach included COR post placement and fibular fragment retraction, sometimes leading to slightly proximal implant milling.
- Clinical implication: A lateral approach is a viable alternative when medial exposure is difficult (e.g., medial implants, fibrosis, or abnormal medial malleolus), though ligament injury risk must be considered.
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🔍 Key Findings
- A lateral surgical approach can successfully implant a canine total ankle replacement (cTAR) prosthesis with accurate implant orientation and stable joint mechanics.
- Post-implantation angular laxity was greater after the lateral approach (15.5°) than the medial approach (9.5°, p = 0.044), though joints remained within acceptable stability limits.
- External rotational laxity increased after implantation with both approaches (lateral +5.4°, medial +6.7°), suggesting mild postoperative rotational laxity likely related to soft-tissue dissection.
- Implant alignment differed minimally between approaches, with most alignment differences <4°, indicating comparable surgical accuracy.
- Bone–implant interface gaps were small and similar between approaches, with ~96% of gaps <1 mm, indicating excellent implant seating.
- Damage to the short lateral collateral ligament occurred in 4/5 lateral-approach limbs, likely due to its insertion near the talar articular surface.
- Technical challenges with the lateral approach included COR post placement and fibular fragment retraction, sometimes leading to slightly proximal implant milling.
- Clinical implication: A lateral approach is a viable alternative when medial exposure is difficult (e.g., medial implants, fibrosis, or abnormal medial malleolus), though ligament injury risk must be considered.
Simini Surgery Review Podcast
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