Twenty-one ankle replacements in nineteen patients after an average
follow-up of 14.7 months were analyzed with respect to their history,
physical and roentgenographic findings, and gait analysis. The relief of
pain and functional improvement after operation were disappointing compared
with the results of prosthetic replacement in other joints and were not
related to early complications, age, diagnosis, or the prosthesis used.
Muscle weakness about the ankle, especially of the plantar flexors, was a
prominent finding and appeared to cause abnormal patterns of gait and of
ankle motion. The frequency of progressively increasing radiolucent lines
was 88 per cent and of late loosening, 10 per cent. These results suggest a
need for more emphasis on postoperative rehabilitation and on the
uncertainty of this procedure at its present stage of development.