Serum Titanium Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty

This study investigates postoperative serum metal levels, specifically titanium, cobalt, and chromium, in patients who underwent total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) and examines the impact of tibial component design (modular vs. nonmodular). The findings reveal that both modular and nonmodular tibial implants are associated with elevated serum titanium levels compared to controls, with modular implants showing significantly higher levels. The authors suggest that these differences may be due to the design of the implants, highlighting the need for further research into the implications of implant modularity on metal release.