Systems for classifying complications have been proposed for many surgical subspecialties. The goal of this systematic review was to analyze the number and frequency of different terms used to identify complications in total ankle arthroplasty. We hypothesized that this terminology would be highly variable, supporting a need for a standardized system of reporting.  The review showed that the reporting of complications and adverse outcomes for total ankle arthroplasty was highly variable. This lack of consistency impedes the accurate reporting and interpretation of data required for the development of cohesive, evidence-based treatment guidelines for end-stage ankle arthritis. Standardized reporting tools are urgently needed. This study presents a prototype worksheet for the standardized assessment and reporting of adverse events.

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The prevalence of obesity in the United States is staggering. Currently, the effect of obesity on third-generation total ankle replacement (TAR) is unknown.  This study concluded that total ankle arthroplasty in obese patients was a relatively safe procedure. Although obese patients after TAR had lower functional outcome scores compared to their nonobese counterpart, they did experience significant functional and pain improvements at most recent follow-up.

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This study was designed to compare the findings of noninvasive arterial testing in patients with and without diabetic foot pathology.

Combining the ABI (ankle brachial index) with TBI (toe brachial index) improved the ability to diagnose PAD (peripheral artery disease) in diabetic patients because the ABI has high specificity (low false positives) and the TBI has high sensitivity (low false negatives). The TBI was more reliable in patients with noncompressible arteries, medial artery calcinosis and/or neuropathy. Due to the relative incompressibility of calcified distal arteries in patients with DM, the ABI may be within normal limits in patients with PAD. This false negative result may lead surgeons to assume that normal perfusion is present.

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Posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) can occur after intra-articular fracture despite anatomic fracture reduction. It has been hypothesized that an early inflammatory response after intra-articular injury could lead to irreversible cartilage damage that progresses to PTOA. Therefore, in addition to meticulous fracture reduction, it would be ideal to prevent this initial inflammatory response but little is known about the composition of the synovial environment after intra-articular fracture. The purpose of this work was to characterize the inflammatory cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) composition in the synovial fluid (SF) of patients with acute intra-articular ankle fractures.

These data indicate that after intra-articular ankle fracture the SF exhibits a largely pro-inflammatory and extra-cellular matrix degrading environment similar to that described in idiopathic osteoarthritis. IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-10 were significantly elevated and may play a role in the development of PTOA.

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Cellular bone allograft (CBA) possesses osteogenic, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive elements essential for bone healing. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of CBA in foot and/or ankle arthrodeses.

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Ligamentous injuries to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis are predictive of long-term ankle dysfunction. Mild and moderate syndesmotic injuries are difficult to stratify, and the impact of syndesmosis injury on the magnitude and distribution of forces within the ankle joint during athletic activities is unknown. Considerable changes in ankle joint kinematics and contact mechanics may explain why moderate syndesmosis injuries take longer to heal and are more likely to develop long-term dysfunction and, potentially, ankle arthritis.

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