The authors relate a heterogeneous series of twenty one total ankle prosthesis performed by the same surgeon with an average follow up of 37 months.
Four types of prosthesis were implanted: 4 Ramses, 8 New Jersey, 5 Star, 4 Freeman. The etiology was seven times a rheumatoid polyarthritis, ten times post-traumatic, two idiopathic arthrosis, an hemochromatosis and a late clubfoot sequelae.
Results were appreciated according to Bousquet's criteria: 4 excellent results, 5 good, 3 fair, 9 bad. The ankle mobility was not improved by arthroplasty. We noticed 7 loosening whose 2 septic occurring between 18 and 38 months after implantation of prosthesis.
This series indicates that prosthesis should be only suggested for patients over sixty years old. No difference was found between post-traumatic and rhumatoîd. The pre-operative subtalar arthrosis promoted in significant way an unexpected failure occurrence.
Indications for total ankle arthroplasty must remain selected. Arthrodesis remains in the immediate future, the best solution for young patients with post-traumatic arthrosis.