Age and Arthroplasty

With increasing evidence showing improvements in activity and pain following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), compounded by advancements in implant design, what changes have we seen with respect to the age of patients undergoing TAA? 

A recent systematic review by Kipp et al. found no difference in complications or survivorship between patients receiving TAA above and below the age of 50 years. Despite these positive outcomes in younger patients, a new study from Bernasconi et al. shows that from 1999 to 2023, the median age for TAA implantation has remained steady, with a mean age of 63 years over the past two decades.

With ongoing advancements in knowledge, training, technology, and surgeon confidence in TAA outcomes, it will be interesting to see any shifts in patient age in the coming decades.