Early radiographic and clinical results of Salto total ankle arthroplasty as a fixed-bearing device

• Study evaluates early radiographic and clinical results of Salto fixed bearing design.
• Significant improvements in clinical outcome scores at an average of 3 years followup.
• Survivorship of implant was 82.6% with any reoperation as endpoint.
• Survivorship of implant was 95.6% for revision or removal of components.
• Results are comparable to published outcomes and for mobile-bearing Salto design.

BackgroundTotal ankle replacement has increased in popularity in the management of severe tibiotalar arthritis. Most previous clinical reports focused on mobile-bearing designs.This study evaluates early radiographic and clinical results of the Salto fixed bearing design.MethodsTwenty-three Salto fixed-bearing implants were prospectively studied. Records were reviewed for clinical outcome scores (VAS, AOFAS, SF36), subsequent surgeries, complications, radiographic data and implant survivorship. Average follow-up was 36 months.ResultsStatistically significant improvements in VAS, AOFAS ankle/hindfoot scores, and SF36 scores were shown at an average of 3 years postoperatively.At 3 years followup, survivorship of the implant was 82.6% with any reoperation as the endpoint and 95.6% for revision or removal of components.Seven patients had radiolucencies around the implant, one of which required revision to arthrodesis.ConclusionThe fixed-bearing Salto ankle replacement has comparable early radiographic and clinical results to reports of the mobile-bearing Salto of comparable followup.Level of evidence: Level IV