2025 AOFAS Annual Meeting-Paper Session 2B; Symposium 3B: Research Forum with Guest Speaker : John Elfar, MD An Easier Academic Path: Research and Realness; Symposium 4B: Techniques of the Masters: Ankle

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This video transcript covers a comprehensive session of presentations and discussions on advanced topics in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), ankle arthrodesis, implant migration, polyethylene wear, gender differences in tibial anatomy, academic career advice, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical practice.<br /><br />Dr. Yeogwon Yoon presented a long-term comparative study analyzing outcomes of TAA in ankles with neutral and varus preoperative alignment over an average follow-up of 8.8 years. The study found similar survivorship and revision rates between neutral and varus groups but noted increased asymmetric polyethylene wear in varus ankles, likely due to residual deformity or soft tissue contracture.<br /><br />Dr. Kush Modi discussed the impact of prior hindfoot fusions on subsequent fusion outcomes, showing failed prior ankle or subtalar fusions significantly increase nonunion risk in subsequent ipsilateral fusion surgeries. These findings inform surgical decision-making and patient counseling.<br /><br />Dr. Max Cole studied the relationship between preoperative coronal deformity and postoperative tibial component lucency in the Cadence total ankle prosthesis. Results indicated no significant association between deformity severity and implant lucency, questioning previous assumptions about deformity as a risk factor.<br /><br />Dr. Lentz introduced innovative weight-bearing CT methodologies for monitoring implant migration and quantifying polyethylene wear in vivo, providing novel volumetric data correlating implant malposition with increased wear, emphasizing the need for standardized imaging protocols.<br /><br />Medical student Ben Wesorek highlighted sex-based differences in distal tibial morphology affecting implant fit and coverage in TAA, suggesting current implants may inadequately accommodate smaller female anatomy.<br /><br />Dr. John Elfar delivered an inspiring keynote on navigating academic careers, emphasizing persistence through failure, mentorship importance, efficient time management, and the value of collegial relationships in orthopedic research.<br /><br />A lively symposium showcased AI’s role in clinical documentation, letter writing, and research assistance, discussing benefits, ethical considerations, and potential pitfalls, with expert panelists endorsing AI as a tool requiring critical oversight.<br /><br />Finally, masters of the field shared complex clinical cases involving challenging ankle reconstructions, implant failures, and salvage procedures, emphasizing multidisciplinary approaches, preoperative planning, careful soft tissue management, and personalized decision-making.<br /><br />Overall, the session provided cutting-edge research insights, practical surgical wisdom, and forward-looking discussions on integrating technology and sustaining academic orthopedics.

Asset Caption

Paper Session 2B
Moderators: J. Benjamin Jackson III, MD, MBA, and Rishin J. Kadakia, MD

Symposium 3B: Research Forum
Moderator: Michael C. Aynardi, MD

RESEARCH SPEAKER
John C. Elfar, MD
An Easier Academic Path: Research and Realness

FAI: Top 10 Papers of the Year
Charles L. Saltzman, MD

AI and Its Impact on Manuscript Writing
Charles L. Saltzman, MD

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love AI
Naveen Pattisapu, MD

Questions/Case Discussion

Symposium 4B: Techniques of the Masters: Ankle
Moderators: Charles L. Saltzman, MD, and David A. Friscia, MD

Keywords

total ankle arthroplasty

ankle arthrodesis

implant migration

polyethylene wear

tibial anatomy gender differences

academic career advice

artificial intelligence in medicine

long-term TAA outcomes

hindfoot fusion impact

tibial component lucency

weight-bearing CT imaging

implant malposition

sex-based implant fit

orthopedic research mentorship

complex ankle reconstruction