title: Arthroscopically assisted ankle fusion in patients with end-stage tuberculosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of arthroscopically assisted ankle fusion in patients with end-stage tuberculosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients, all with end-stage tuberculosis, were operated on by arthroscopically assisted ankle fusion, and a half-ring sulcated external fixator was used. Partial weight-bearing was started on the fourth day. The clinical results were assessed with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score. Ankle fusion was proved by radiographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the mean follow-up of 23 months, all fusions were healed; the mean time to radiologic healing was 14.5 weeks. The final American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score was 66 points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthroscopically assisted debridement and ankle arthrodesis with an external fixator provided a very satisfactory rate of ankle fusion in 10 patients who had no recurrences or other complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, therapeutic case series.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Joint Surgery, Orthopaedics Department, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China. tangkanglai@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kang-lai
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Qi-hong
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guang-xin
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000842:Ankle; D001174:Arthrodesis; D001182:Arthroscopy; D003646:Debridement; D016267:External Fixators; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000601:surgery*