Does Perioperative use of Bisphosphonate Affect Implant Revision Rate of Total Ankle Arthroplasty?

Category: Ankle Arthritis; Other Introduction/Purpose: It is unknown whether perioperative bisphosphonate (BP) use reduces revision rates in total ankle replacement arthroplasty (TAR) although its effect has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing revision rates in total knee or hip replacement arthroplasty. Therefore, the purpose of this study was 1) to investigate whether there is a relationship between the use of BP and the revision rate of TAR, and (2) to determine the effect of BP medication period on the revision rate of TAR. Our hypothesis was that the use of BP would lower the revision rate of TAR. Methods: We reviewed National Health Insurance Service data based on national health insurance service claim data and health care utilization, health screening, socio-demographic variables, medication history, operation codes, and mortality data for 50 million Koreans. From 2002 to 2014, 6391 of 7300 patients who underwent TAR were BP non-users, while 909 patients were BP users. The revision rate according to BP medication and co-morbidities was investigated. The Kaplan-Meier estimate and extended Cox proportional hazard model were also used. Results: The revision rate of TAR was 7.9% for BP users and 9.5% for BP non-users, which showed no significant difference (p=0.251). Implant survival over time decreased constantly. Adjusted hazard ratio for hypertension was 1.242 (p=0.017), while other co-morbidities such as diabetes had no effect on revision rate of TAR. Conclusion: We found that the perioperative BP use do not reduce the revision rate of TAR. Co-morbidities except hypertension did not affect the revision rate of TAR. More research regarding various factor affecting revision of TAR could be warranted.