Ankle replacements join NJR following successful pilot programme

 9 June 2010

Following a successful pilot, ankle replacements officially became a fixed part of the National Joint Registry (NJR) programme on 1 June 2010.

Surgeons began recording ankle replacements in the NJR from 1 April 2010. This marked the first time in England and Wales, the performance of ankle replacements has been monitored on a national scale.

Like hip and knee patients, ankle replacement patients will now benefit from active monitoring of the performance of their implants. This will help surgeons and hospitals to choose the best implants for their patients in future.

More details on ankle replacements and the NJR >>

The British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (BOFAS) has approved the data collection, and enthusiastically welcomed the launch. The number of ankle replacements taking place in the UK each year is growing, as is the number of components. Unlike hip or knee arthritis, most ankle arthritis is post-traumatic. The commonest causes are severe ankle fractures or recurrent, severe ankle sprains.

"BOFAS is excited about its involvement in the addition of ankles to the NJR," BOFAS President Sunil Dhar said. "We strongly believe that collecting data about the performance of ankle replacements is a key way to enhance clinical standards and improve patient outcomes."

NJR Steering Committee Acting Chairman Professor Paul Gregg added: "I am delighted that the work of the Registry is now being extended to cover ankle replacements, and that BOFAS see such value in the NJR."

The news follows more than a year of preparations, in which the data set was developed with ankle surgeons, and agreed by the BOFAS executive. New data entry screens have been developed, along with new paper forms for use by surgeons. In addition, the consent form has been updated to include ankles.

Before the April pilot scheme rolled out, a successful data entry ‘dress rehearsal' was carried out by staff at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford. Mr Paul Cooke, one of the world's most experienced ankle replacement surgeons, took part, working with data manager Beverley Thomas.