According to a recent study published in Foot & Ankle International, Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) offers a similar effect on osteoarthritis following pilon fracture compared to other manifestations like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankle fracture (AF) or post-traumatic arthritis without any previous arthritis (PTOA). Earlier, the consequences of TAR for osteoarthritis (OA) after pilon fracture (PF) were unreported. Therefore, this study was conducted by Adam Bennett and colleagues to evaluate the role of TAR on OA following pilon fracture and compared the outcomes with various other manifestations.

The PROMs (patient-reported outcome measures) from 2006 to 2014 for TAR by a single surgeon were analysed. The SF-36, comorbidities, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), patient satisfaction scores and self-reported BMI (body mass index) were also examined. The data was assembled before treatment and after the first and second years of therapy. Radiographs and clinical notes highlighted the different manifestations of TAR like RA, OA, PTOA, AF and PF. A total of 173 TARs [PTOA (12), PF (15), RA (21), AF(36) and OA (89)] were available for PROMs. Out of all the PF group were the youngest (56.5 years) and had highest BMI (31.6 kg/m2). The number of noticed comorbidities showed no difference (p > .05). 

All groups presented considerable improvement in FAOS by one year postoperatively. Further, all groups showed similar SF-36 outcomes in all parameters by two years postoperatively. The emotional (0.042) and physical (0.018) domains also dispensed a considerable improvement by one year after the treatment. The patient satisfaction score was also the same for all indications. At two year postoperatively, all groups showed almost similar outcomes.