title: Clinical benefit of joint distraction in the treatment of ankle osteoarthritis.
abstract: Irrespective of underlying mechanisms, the structural changes after joint distraction and the efficacy during several years validate the concept of joint distraction in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Therefore, joint distraction in the case of severe ankle osteoarthritis at relatively young age may be a treatment of choice. In the light of increased aging, and the limited life span of an endoprosthesis, evaluation of joint distraction in the case of knee and hip osteoarthritis is justified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85500 (F02.127), 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. a.c.a.marijnissen@azu.nl
authors.forename: Anne C A
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Marijnissen
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: van Roermund
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Melkebeek
authors.forename: Floris P J G
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Lafeber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome