
pmid: 22734278
Background: Structural bone grafts are often used in foot and ankle surgery to fill gaps, maintain height, length or correction. Bone graft, whether autograft or allograft, has limitations and disadvantages. With porosity and mechanical properties similar to native bone, porous tantalum has been used successfully in hip and knee applications. This study investigates the potential advantages of porous tantalum as a substitute for conventional bone graft in foot and ankle surgery. Methods: A retrospective review of 27 arthrodesis procedures was performed of foot and ankle procedures using Trabecular Metal™ porous tantalum over a period of 5 years. Twenty-five patients were involved. Mean age at the time of surgery was 63 (range, 41 to 80) years. All the patients had pathologies in the foot and ankle that required arthrodesis with structural graft. Average followup was 27 (range, 12 to 72) months. Results: At final followup the mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot / Midfoot score improved from 40.6 (range, 16 to 64) preoperatively to 86.3 (range, 57 to 100) postoperatively ( p < 0.001). When the pain component of the AOFAS was examined, the score improved from a mean of 8.2 (range, 0 to 20) to 35.2 (range, 20 to 40), ( p < 0.001). At the time of last followup, 56% of patients reported no pain, 40% reported mild occasional pain, and 4% reported moderate pain. Conclusion: Porous tantalum therefore, was found to be a viable alternative to conventional bone graft when structural support was required. Level of Evidence: IV; Retrospective Case Series
Adult, Aged, 80 and over, Male, Arthrodesis, Prostheses and Implants, Tantalum, Middle Aged, Foot Joints, Bone Substitutes, Humans, Female, Porosity, Ankle Joint, Aged, Follow-Up Studies, Pain Measurement, Retrospective Studies
Adult, Aged, 80 and over, Male, Arthrodesis, Prostheses and Implants, Tantalum, Middle Aged, Foot Joints, Bone Substitutes, Humans, Female, Porosity, Ankle Joint, Aged, Follow-Up Studies, Pain Measurement, Retrospective Studies
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 41 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
