FAI December 2019: Imaging of Bone Perfusion and Metabolism in Subjects Undergoing Total Ankle Arthroplasty Using 18F-Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) continues to exhibit a relatively high incidence of complications and need for revision surgery compared to knee and hip arthroplasty. One common mode of failure in TAA is talar component subsidence. This may be caused by disruption in the talar blood supply related to the operative technique. The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in talar bone perfusion and turnover before and after TAA with the INBONE II system using 18F-fluoride positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT). Our study was the first to link 18F-fluoride PET/CT with pre-post evaluation of total ankle replacements. The study quantified perfusion within the talus beneath the TAA implant supporting the hypothesis that perfusion of the talus remained intact after surgery.   To view the article click here.