title: [Results of arthrodesis of the upper ankle joint].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study presents the results of arthrodesis of the ankle in non-inflammatory osteoarthritic conditions.
  
  
  METHODS
  34 open arthrodeses (33 patients) were followed for 5.5 +/- 3.2 years after surgery. At follow-up clinical results were evaluated by the Kitaoka and Gruen scores and standing X-rays were analysed for the talo-calcaneal angle and the grade of arthrosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients expressed high and very high satisfaction in 84 % of the cases; good results were higher with the Gruen score (79 %) than with the Kitaoka score (50 %). The patients did not complain pain but had some limitation in walking distance; gait was compensated in 44 % of the patients. A significant increase of arthrosis in adjacent joints could not be observed. A pseudoarthosis was observed in four cases and minor, conservatively treated complications arose in seven cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that, on the basis of these results, arthrodesis of the ankle still has a place in therapy due to the high patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Orthopädie, Universität Wien. k.trieb.co@klinikumffo.de
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Trieb
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Dürr
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: König
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome