J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.
2011 Sep;15(3):124-131.
Ankle Arthrodesis
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Orthopedics, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sungih@hanyang.ac.kr
Abstract
- Ankle arthrodesis has been considered to be the standard operative treatment for end-stage ankle arthritis, nevertheless currently increasing arthroplasty. Indication for arthrodesis is painful ankle from global arthrosis regardless of the etiology. But it is hard to be carried out in the several circumstance such as infection states, poor vascularity, severe diabetes, prematurity, etc. So thorough evaluation should be done before the surgery, including adjacent joints status. The ideal position for fusion is neutral in flexion, functional valgus, and slightly external rotation. Methods of arthrodesis would be largely divided into two categories as in situ fixation and realignment procedure. The lateral and anterior longitudinal approaches are two common procedures, and fixation modalities are also variable. The long-term results of arthrodesis have been reported. Even the close follow-up have shown subsequent degeneration of adjacent joints, benefits such as reliable pain loss, easy correctability for deformity, and improved functional status with considerable durability can be expected in the most patients.
