Where ankle fusion stands today.
A retrospective study involving thirty-six patients with thirty-seven ankle fusions was undertaken to assess the rate of fusion, the subjective and objective results, the residual subtalar and midtarsal movement, and the functional disability. Fusion occurred in thirty-one ankles (84 per cent). Twenty-four patients were reviewed, on average 7.5 years after fusion, and eighteen had good or excellent results; only four had been unable to return to their previous employment. The conclusion is that fusion is still a good treatment for the painful post-traumatic arthritis ankle, the resulting functional disability being minimal.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013997:Time Factors