Smarter Tools for Total Ankle Replacement
Smith+Nephew, a global medical technology company, has introduced its TOTAL ANKLE Patient-Matched Guides—purpose-built tools that help surgeons plan and perform total ankle replacement (TAR) with greater accuracy and efficiency. The guides are designed to make a demanding procedure more predictable from the first cut to final alignment.
Why Precision Matters in Ankle Surgery
Total ankle replacement has historically been less common than other joint surgeries. Patient anatomies vary widely, and less invasive options are often tried first. Even so, changing demographics and rising osteoarthritis are shifting more patients toward surgical solutions. The market for TAR is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.98% through 2031—an indicator that precision, consistency, and surgical confidence matter more than ever.
What Sets the TOTAL ANKLE Patient-Matched Guides Apart
Developed in collaboration with 3D Systems, the guides are built around advanced surgical planning workflows to support precise, consistent execution in the operating room. Integrated fluoroscopic alignment cues are central to the design, giving surgeons tools intended to improve predictability and function. The result is a focused set of features that work together rather than a pile of separate instruments.
1. Predictability where it counts
The guides combine fluoroscopic cues with guide pins in one streamlined instrument. By consolidating steps that commonly require multiple tools, they’re designed to help surgeons move through the procedure with fewer interruptions and a clearer path.
2. Accuracy built into the workflow
Fluoroscopic alignment cues and transfer pins are engineered to support accuracy from preoperative planning through execution. The goal is to help maintain alignment decisions as the case progresses—so what’s planned is more likely to be what’s achieved.
3. A design that supports surgeon and patient
Comfort and control matter in the OR. These guides emphasize tactile feedback and a secure, patient-specific fit, aiming to make each step feel deliberate and repeatable for the surgeon while supporting a precise fit for the patient.
Built with 3D Systems
3D Systems contributes more than 25 years of experience and a track record of over 175,000 patient-specific cases, delivered through FDA-cleared VSP surgical workflows. This partnership reflects a shared focus: tools that help clinicians aim for better experiences and outcomes.
Flexible Options for Surgeons
The TOTAL ANKLE Patient-Matched Guides are compatible with a range of talar implants, including the CADENCE Total Ankle System and the SALTO TALARIS Total Ankle Prosthesis. That compatibility supports surgeon choice—an important piece of tailoring treatment to each patient.
Committed to Advancing Surgical Precision
Mark McMahan, Vice President of Marketing for Global Trauma & Extremities at Smith+Nephew, highlighted the potential of the TOTAL ANKLE Patient-Matched Guides to bring more precision and efficiency to TAR. The system signals Smith+Nephew’s continued investment in the total ankle replacement space and its drive to support surgeons with purpose-built tools.
Learn More
Healthcare professionals can explore the TOTAL ANKLE Patient-Matched Guides on Smith+Nephew’s official channels or at industry events where the company presents its technologies and shares clinical insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the TOTAL ANKLE Patient-Matched Guides?
They’re patient-matched surgical guides from Smith+Nephew designed to support precise, predictable total ankle replacement. The guides integrate planning and alignment tools to help surgeons carry out a consistent procedure.
How do these guides help during surgery?
They incorporate fluoroscopic alignment cues and use guide and transfer pins to support accuracy from planning through execution. The aim is to streamline key steps and make alignment decisions easier to carry through the case.
Who developed the guides?
Smith+Nephew developed the TOTAL ANKLE Patient-Matched Guides in collaboration with 3D Systems, drawing on advanced surgical planning workflows and extensive patient-specific experience.
Which implants can they be used with?
The guides are compatible with various talar implants, including the CADENCE Total Ankle System and the SALTO TALARIS Total Ankle Prosthesis, giving surgeons flexibility in implant selection.
Where can I find more information?
Professionals can learn more through Smith+Nephew’s official site and at medical industry events where the company shares details about its latest technologies.
