Ankle Replacement: Current Practice of Foot & Ankle Surgeons in the United Kingdom

Background: The main surgical treatments for end stage ankle arthritis are arthrodesis and total ankle replacement (TAR). In Europe, there are now more than 11 different prostheses, most with limited outcome data. This study aimed to determine the number and types of implants used in the United Kingdom. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire based survey was sent to all Consultant members of the British Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (n = 180). Results: Sixty-eight percent completed the questionnaires. Thirty percent of respondents were not performing ankle joint replacements at the time of the survey. The mode number of ankle replacements carried out per year by Foot and Ankle Specialists was eight. Conclusion: The UK has a population of 60 million and surgeons are implanting at least 800 ankle replacements per year. More surgeons are beginning to perform ankle replacements in small numbers and a UK National Joint Registry for Ankle Replacements is in development. Currently, none of the fixed bearing implants being used in the United States are being used in the United Kingdom and although the number of ankle replacements implanted in the United States is unknown, it is predicted that this type of surgery could have a significant impact on insurers and healthcare providers in the future.