The Epidemiology and Trends of Primary Total Ankle Arthroplasty and Revision Procedure in South Korea Between 2007 and 2017

CATEGORY: Ankle Arthritis INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the surgical trends of primary total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and revision procedure in South Korea from 2007 to 2017 using the national population-based data. METHODS: We reviewed the national health insurance data of South Korea from 2007 to 2017. The data includes diagnosis codes, procedure codes, prescriptions, medical costs, and other demographic data. Trends of primary diagnosis for primary TAA were evaluated. Annual trends and incidences per 100,000 person-years of primary TAA and revision procedures as well as compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the study period were analysed. Surgical trends according to patients’ age, hospital grades, and insurance systems were also evaluated. RESULTS: Primary diagnosis for primary TAA was mostly degenerative arthritis (6501 cases, 90.5%). From 2007 to 2017, the total number of cases of primary TAA and revision procedures was 7183 and 585, respectively. The number of cases in 2007 of primary TAA were 313; there were no cases of revision. The number of cases in 2017 of primary TAA were 986 and of revision were 108. The CAGR during this period was 28.6% for primary TAA and 44.6% for revision procedures. Incidences per 100,000 person- years in 2017 were 1.91 for primary TAA and 0.21 for revision procedures. The average cost paid by patients themselves was 813$ (19%) and by the national health insurance service was 3480$ (81%). CONCLUSION: Trends of primary TAA and revision procedures have been steadily rising in South Korea during the 11-year study period.