Alternative method to remove polyethylene liner from inbone total ankle arthroplasty: Operative technique

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is an evolving treatment indicated in end-stage idiopathic, posttraumatic, or inflammatory ankle arthrosis. Currently, there are 4 Food and Drug Administration approved TAAs systems available in the United States, one of which is the INBONE TAA. The INBONE TAA is a third generation ankle implant that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration since 2005. It is a modular, fixed-bearing system that utilizes a drill hole through the calcaneus and talus to align the components. Over the past 10 years, there has been a steady increase in the number of TAAs performed in the United States. Undoubtedly, with the increase in the number of INBONE TAA being placed, the number of revision INBONE TAA will increase as well. Revisions may range from a simple polyethylene liner exchange to revision of all 3 components. In most revision scenarios, the polyethylene component will need to be removed. To our knowledge, the only described technique to remove the polyethylene component is in the INBONE TAA operative technique guide, which is technically challenging. Consequently, we developed a more efficient and technically easier method to remove the polyethylene component of the INBONE TAA.

Duke Scholars

Author Samuel Bruce Adams Jr. Orthopaedic Surgery

Author Mark Erik Easley Orthopaedic Surgery