Ankle Fusion Vs. Total Ankle

In a small 10-patient study, Timothy R. Daniels et al. compared patients living with an ankle fusion on one side and a TAR on the other. When asked about their satisfaction with the procedures, most participants preferred the TAR.

Market is matching science

Using PearlDiver national data, Noorulain Paracha et al. looked at changes in ankle fusion (AF) and ankle arthroplasty (TAA) utilization from the years 2005 to 2013. A total of 21,433 patients undergoing primary TAA (n = 7126) and AF (n = 14 307) were included. TAA use increased from 21.5% to 49.4% of procedures (P < .0001).

TAA growth rate surpasses total knee and total hip

Using data from the IBM MarketScan database, a total of 41,060 primary TAAs were identified from the years 2009 to 2019. Annual volumes increased by 136.1%, from 2,180 to 5,147 procedures nationwide. Growth in incidence was demonstrated in males and females above the age of 54 years with the largest growth in annual incidence found between 65 and 74 years old. The cumulative annual growth rates of TAA were found to be two times greater than total knee arthroplasty and 3.6 times greater than total hip arthroplasty.