title: Primary union of ankle arthrodesis: review of a single institution/multiple surgeon experience.
abstract: A review of 37 ankle arthrodesis procedures done over a 12-year period by multiple surgeons at a single institution was performed. Six different techniques were used during the study period. The initial success rate, defined as cases achieving a solid union after the index procedure, was 65%. Seven additional patients went on to a solid arthrodesis after subsequent surgical procedures, for an ultimate success rate of 84%. The initial success rate varied considerably depending on the surgical technique used, and ranged from 29% with the RAF fibular strut technique to 100% with T-plate fixation. Although there are many variables that influence the success or failure of ankle arthrodesis, in our hands rigid internal fixation gave the most predictable rate of primary union.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tucson 85724.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dohm
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Purdy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benjamin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000601:surgery; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome