[Interposition arthrodesis of the ankle].
OBJECTIVE
Bony fusion of the ankle in a functionally favorable position for restitution of a painless weight bearing while avoiding a leg length discrepancy.


METHODS
Disabling, painful osteoarthritis of the ankle with extensive bone defect secondary to trauma, infection, or serious deformities such as congenital malformations or diabetic osteoarthropathies.


METHODS
Acute joint infection. Severe arterial occlusive disease of the involved limb.


METHODS
Lateral approach to the distal fibula. Fibular osteotomy 7 cm proximal to the tip of the lateral malleolus and posterior flipping of the distal fibula. Exposure of the ankle. Removal of all articular cartilage and debridement of the bone defect. Determination of the size of the defect and harvesting of a corresponding tricortical bone graft from the iliac crest. Also harvesting of autogenous cancellous bone either from the iliac crest or from the lateral part of the proximal tibia. Insertion of the tricortical bone graft and filling of the remaining defect with cancellous bone. Fixation with three 6.5-mm titanium lag screws. Depending on the extent of the defect additional stabilization of the bone graft with a titanium plate. Fixation of the lateral fibula on talus and tibia with two 3.5-mm titanium screws for additional support. Wound closure in layers. Split below-knee cast with the ankle in neutral position.


RESULTS
Between January 2002 and January 2004 this technique was used in five patients with extensive bone defects (four women, one man, average age 57 years [42-77 years]). No intra- or early postoperative complications. The AOFAS (American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society) Score was improved from 23 points preoperatively to 76 points postoperatively (average follow-up time of 25 months). Two patients developed a nonunion and underwent a revision with an ankle arthrodesis nail. A valgus malposition after arthrodesis in one patient was corrected with a supramalleolar osteotomy.
Vienne
Patrick
P
Fuss-/Sprunggelenkschirurgie, Uniklinik Balgrist, Forchstrasse 340, CH-8008 Zürich, Switzerland. patrick.vienne@balgrist.ch
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D001858:Bone Nails; D001860:Bone Plates; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010000:Osteitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013628:Talus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome