Increasing utilization of total ankle arthroplasty in Japan: Trends and regional variations over 12 Years from a national database

CONCLUSIONS: TAA utilization has grown significantly in Japan, underscoring its acceptance as an alternative to ankle arthrodesis. However, access disparities persist, driven by the limited availability of high-volume hospitals. These findings highlight the need for improved access to TAA and the standardization of surgical practices to ensure equal treatment opportunities for patients with ankle arthritis.