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CC BY 4.0 · Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2654-8080
Original Research

Implantation of a Canine Total Ankle Replacement Prosthesis Using a Lateral Surgical Approach is Accurate and Leads to a Stable Joint

Michelle M. Zingel
1   Surgery Department, Veterinary Specialty Center of Seattle, Lynnwood, Washington, United States
,
Laurent P. Guiot
2   Bone and Joint Center, ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospital, Culver City, California, United States
,
Denis J. Marcellin-Little 
3   Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
,
Tanya C. Garcia
4   JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, United States
,
Jennifer L. Hubbard
5   Surgery Department, Veterinary Centers of America (VCA) Animal Specialty and Emergency Center, Los Angeles, California, United States
› Author Affiliations
Funding The cost of the cadavers and radiographs was covered by Access Bone and Joint Center, Los Angeles, CA.
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to determine if canine total ankle replacement (cTAR) can be performed using a lateral surgical approach by comparing implant orientation, limb orientation and tarsocrural stability after implantation using a lateral or medial approach.

Study Design

Ten cadaveric limbs from five large-breed dogs were implanted with a cTAR prosthesis using a medial or a lateral approach. Caudocranial and mediolateral radiographs were obtained. Joint orientation, limb orientation, angular tarsocrural stability (varus and valgus laxity) and rotational tarsocrural stability (internal and external rotational laxity) were measured before and after implantation and compared. Polar gaps around cTAR components were measured.

Results

Before implantation, mean valgus laxity was 1.8 degrees larger in limbs which were implanted with a cTAR prosthesis using a lateral approach than in limbs implanted using a medial approach. After a lateral approach, mean valgus laxity was 4.4 degrees larger (7.2 degrees) than before (2.8 degrees), and mean external rotational laxity was 5.4 degrees larger (10.7 degrees) than before (5.3 degrees). After a medial approach, mean external rotational laxity was 6.7 degrees larger (11.6 degrees) than before (4.9 degrees). The mean angular laxity was 6.0 degrees larger after a lateral approach (15.5 degrees) than a medial approach (9.5 degrees). Significant differences among other measurements collected after a lateral or medial approach were not identified.

Conclusion

A cTAR prosthesis can be implanted using a lateral approach and result in a properly oriented tarsocrural joint that is rotationally stable and has slight angular laxity.

Keywords

total ankle replacement - surgical approach - dog

Authors' Contribution

M.M.Z. contributed to the study design, acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation. L.P.G. contributed to the conception, study design, acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation. D.J.M-L. contributed to the conception, study design, data analysis and interpretation. T.C.G. contributed to the study design, data analysis and interpretation. J.L.H. contributed to the acquisition of data, data analysis and interpretation. All authors drafted, revised, and approved the submitted manuscript and are publicly responsible for the relevant content.




Publication History

Received: 03 May 2025

Accepted: 14 July 2025

Article published online:
25 July 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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