Arthritis Clinical Trials

End-stage ankle arthritis (ESAA) is a debilitating condition associated with severe pain, dysfunction, and reduced quality of life. Many patients with ESAA have difficulty walking for even 100 feet or up a single flight of stairs. Patients seeking surgery for ESAA have two primary treatment options: ankle arthrodesis (i.e., ankle fusion) and ankle arthroplasty (i.e., ankle replacement). Few studies have directly compared the effectiveness of these two procedures, and no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been performed.

The investigators will conduct a multi-site RCT comparing the effectiveness of ankle arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty over a 2-year follow-up period. The investigators will compare overall physical function and ankle specific function; ankle pain intensity and interference with activities; activity levels; and general health between subjects undergoing ankle arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty before surgery and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. The investigators will also compare post-surgical complication rates, and the investigators will identify prognostic factors that are predictive of higher physical function, ankle specific function, reduced pain, improved general health, and overall patient satisfaction.