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NCT Number: NCT03965143

Talus Replacement Registry

Avascular necrosis of the talus is a difficult problem to manage, especially in the young and healthy. The only option, historically, has been a talectomy and hindfoot fusion. While this is a viable option, it is not without its morbidity. Arthritis of surrounding joints is common, occurring anywhere from 1-10 years after the procedure. This is especially true in younger patients, where loss of motion can be life altering both physically and mentally. The search for alternatives has been limited. Recently, 3D printing has become more ubiquitous and affordable and newer medical alternatives have arisen thanks to this technology. The 3D custom talus is relatively new in the orthopaedic community, but has been used at several centers with good success. It has been shown to re-establish the normal alignment of the foot, preserve motion (with some achieving almost physiologic motion), and allow for almost normal ambulation. However, the data is still limited and further study is necessary. Our facility was recently approved to perform this procedure. Our hypothesis is that custom 3D printed talar body replacements, either used alone or with total ankle replacements, will maintain physiologic motion, have no difference in complications when compared to hindfoot fusions with allograft, lead to good outcome scores and patient satisfaction scores. Patients diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the talus who have already decided to undergo a procedure involving a 3D custom talus as part of their standard care (talar replacement, total ankle/total talus, etc) will be enrolled in the study. Patients will follow standard post-operative protocols and return to clinic at designated time periods (2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year). X-ray evaluation, Range of motion, return to ambulation, walking speed and patient reported outcomes will be evaluated at each visit. Data will then be compared with baseline measurements and use to determine the progression of patients over time after the procedure

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Key information

Conditions

Avascular Necrosis of the Talus

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of Missouri

Columbia, Missouri, 65212, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Ennio R Esposito

CONTACT

[email protected]

573-882-7615

About this study

After patients have undergone a standard of care 3D talar augment procedure they will return to clinic at designated time periods (2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year). X-rays performed as standard of care will be evaluated. Walking speed will be assessed after patient is allowed to bear weight at the same designated time periods reported above. Patients will also answer questions regarding pain (VAS survey), satisfaction (SSQ-8 survey), outcomes utilizing AAOS foot and ankle scores (survey), and self-reported return to unassisted ambulation. Goniometer measurements will be taken in the clinic at all post-operative visits to determine ROM

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Subjects age 18 years or above at time of screening
  • Condition satisfies requirement for total talus replacement
  • Able to consent and participate in the study
  • No previous history of septic arthritis involving the hindfoot/midfoot
  • Previous ability to ambulate

Exclusion criteria

  • Active infection, sepsis, osteomyelitis or history of septic arthritis involving the hindfoot/midfoot
  • Unable to consent or participate in the study secondary to mental status
  • Condition does not qualify for a total talus replacement
  • Patients who are pregnant or imprisoned
  • Planned relocation or unable to return for required follow-up visits

Treatment and study plan

3D talar augmentation

Device

Patients with an avascular necrosis of the body if the talar bone will undergo a 3D custom talar augmentation with or without concomitant ankle arthroplasty

Primary outcomes

  1. Change Range of motion

    Time frame: 12 months

    Measures with a Goniometer and expressed in degrees

  2. Change in VAS pain Score

    Time frame: 12 months

    The visual analog scale (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are recorded by making a handwritten mark on a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between "no pain" and "worst pain."

  3. Change in AAOS foot an ankle score

    Time frame: 12 months

    The AAOS foot and ankle questionnaire is a patient-administrated 25-item survey specifically developed for foot and ankle-related disability. The questionnaire is divided into two scales, the Foot and Ankle Core scale, comprised of 20 questions and the Shoe Comfort Scale with five questions. The questions themselves are distributed among five different categories: Pain (9 items), function (6 items), stiffness and swelling (2 items), giving way (3 items) and shoe comfort (5 items). Answers are then measured on a scale of 1 to 5 or 6, with 1 being the best outcome score.

  4. SSQ-8 satisfaction score

    Time frame: 12 months

    the SSQ-8 (Surgical Satisfaction Score) is a Patient administered 8-item survey designed to asses satisfaction after a surgical procedure. Answers are then measured on a scale of 1 to 5 or 6, with 1 being the best outcome score.

  5. Change in walking speed

    Time frame: 12 months

    Speed will be measured in seconds over a standard distance

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Vicki L Jones, M Ed

CONTACT

[email protected]

5738827583

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Kyle Schweser MD

Other

Registry information

Acronym: 3DTalar

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
May 28, 2019
Registry last updated
Apr 28, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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