BACKGROUND: STAR ankle prosthesis can follow free movement of the ankle joint, and ancillary equipment of this prosthesis has advantages of easy operation, accurate positioning, ensuring prosthesis balance, and minimal resection.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the brief history, design features, indications, contraindications, efficacy and evaluation system of STAR prosthesis.
METHODS: Using the search terms “ankle replacement AND star”, “ankle arthroplasty AND star”, “ankle prosthesis AND star”, “ankle”, “replacement”, “STAR prosthesis”, the relevant literature published from January 2000 to December 2012 were searched from MEDLINE, PubMed, EMbase,and Cochrane library database. We selected literatures that involve progress of ankle prosthesis, indications, contraindications, and Kofoed, Mazur,AOFAS evaluation system. Thirty-six studies were identified as meeting the eligibility criteria.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: So far, three generations of total ankle prosthesis have been developed. The prosthesis that most widely used in our country is STAR. Prosthetic ankle load design greatly improves the inner part of the bone prosthesis, bone resection method, fixation method and the elimination of harmful stress. Failure of STAR prosthesis in 15 papers results from prosthesis loosening, power line abnormalities, infection. The anatomy and unique biomechanics characteristics of the ankle elicit complex complications after ankle replacement, and patient’s selection and improving ankle replacement technology can both reduce the incidence of complications after replacement.