Authors:
Jonathon D. Backus, MD , Lew C. Schon, MD , William R. Ledoux, PhD, Mitchell C. Coleman, PhD, Kelsey H. Collins, PhD , Scott J. Ellis, MD, Amy L. Lenz, PhD, Cesar de Cesar Netto, MD, PhD, Constantine A. Demetracopoulos, MD, Nancy E. Lane, MD, Jason M. Wilken, PT, PhD, Annunziato Amendola, MD, Anish R. Kadakia, MD,
Erik A. Wikstrom, PhD, ATC, Kenneth J. Hunt, MD, Bopha Chrea, MD, Judith F. Baumhauer, MD, MPH, Todd O. McKinley, MD, Michelle McLeod, PhD, and Donald D. Anderson, PhD
Abstract:
Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is predominantly post-traumatic in origin. It differs in important ways biologically, mechanically, and clinically from hip and knee OA. Despite recognition of its long-term burden, treatment strategies for ankle OA remain largely reactive and centered on end-stage reconstruction. The Arthritis Foundation and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) co-sponsored an Ankle Arthritis Think Tank to address this deficiency in Napa, CA, on January 22, 2026. The focus was to solve patient frustration of limited treatment options and relatively poor outcomes when comparing to hip and knee osteoarthritis.
You may view the study here: Advancing Prevention and Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis: A Translational Clinical Roadmap from the 2026 AOFAS/ Arthritis Foundation Ankle Arthritis Think Tank
