Ankle arthrodesis and total ankle replacement - Variations in surgical practice across England using Hospital Episode Statistics database

Background and purpose: End stage ankle arthritis can be managed surgically by ankle arthrodesis or total ankle replacement. Not all surgeons perform both ankle arthrodesis and total ankle replacement. This study aims to determine the numbers of ankle arthrodesis and ankle replacements being performed throughout England and to analyse variation in provision.

Methods

This is a retrospective study using Hospital Episode Statistics data from NHS England for the period April 2013 to March 2025 categorised geographically by Integrated Care Boards (ICB) and NHS England regions and over time by financial year.