Trends in arthrodeses and total joint replacements in Foot and Ankle surgery in Germany during the past decade—Back to the fusion?

Milstrey, Alexander; Domnick, Christoph; Garcia, Patric; Raschke, Michael J.; Evers, Julia; Ochman, Sabine

Abstract

Background: The goal of this study was to analyze trends in Foot and Ankle surgery in Germany during the past ten years. Methods: Data of the German Federal Statistical Office from 2008 until 2018 were screened. We focused on the analysis of fusions and total joint replacements. Results: The total amount of the surgeries increased (+39.5%). Especially fusions like arthrodesis of the ankle (+31%) and of the MTP-1 joint (+77%) were on the rise. In 2017 60% of ankle arthrodesis were conducted in men, while 69% of MTP-1 arthrodesis were performed in women. The amount of joint replacements showed a decline during the last decade, in TAR (−39%) and in the MTP-1 (−48%). Regarding the patients age while undergoing a TAR, we observed a shift of the peak age group from 65 to 70 years in 2008 towards 55–60 years in 2017. Conclusion: Our study represents actual health care reality in Germany and shows a constant increase of ankle arthritis surgeries in the last decade, while there was a massive shift regarding the ratio of TAR in favour of fusion procedures.