title: Use of internal compression in arthrodesis of the ankle.
abstract: An ankle arthrodesis was done on twenty-five patients, using a specially designed T-plate. The T-plate provides a compressive force across the ankle of approximately 18.5 newtons per square meter and is most often applied through a medial approach to the ankle joint. This new approach provides excellent exposure and supplementary bone graft, and facilitates alignment of the ankle and foot in a neutral position. A successful arthrodesis was obtained in each patient. In the thirteen patients for whom a functional rating could be obtained, the average preoperative score of 47 points improved to an average postoperative score of 82 points.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005531:Foot Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure