Osteoporosis is not associated with increased reoperation or fracture risk three years after total ankle arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study.

Abstract

This study investigated whether osteoporosis impacts reoperation or periprosthetic fracture after total ankle arthroplasty. Findings showed no significant difference in reoperation or fracture rates between patients with or without osteoporosis, suggesting osteoporosis may not be a major risk factor for these outcomes.

Background: This study examines the association between osteoporosis and postoperative periprosthetic fracture or reoperation after primary total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) to guide surgical decision-making.

Methods: The United States TriNetX network identified adults undergoing primary TAA. Patients were split per the presence or absence of osteoporosis. The primary outcome was the risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of reoperation within 3 years of primary TAA. Secondary outcome included the RR with 95% CI for postoperative periprosthetic fractures after primary TAA.

Results: There were 270 patients per cohort. There was no statistically significant difference in the likelihood of reoperation in the osteoporosis cohort as compared to the non-osteoporosis cohort through 3 years (5.9% versus 5.6%; p = 0.853). There was also no statistically significant difference in the likelihood of postoperative periprosthetic fractures in the osteoporosis cohort as compared to the non-osteoporosis cohort (6.3% versus 4.1%; p = 0.244).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that osteoporosis may not be a meaningful risk factor for reoperation or postoperative periprosthetic fracture after primary TAA.