title: Tibiotalar arthrodesis using a custom blade plate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who underwent tibiotalar arthrodesis between 1997 and 2003 for tibiotalar arthritis. The cause was predominantly posttraumatic arthritis secondary to tibial plafond fracture (n = 15) or talar body fracture (n = 2).
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of 20 patients with 21 arthritic tibiotalar joints. Radiographs, clinical notes, scheduled visits, and telephone interviews were used to obtain outcome data after tibiotalar arthrodesis using a custom blade plate. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle Hindfoot Score quantified clinical outcomes in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen patients with 17 ankle arthrodeses were available after a mean follow-up period of 37.3 months. There were no postoperative wound complications or infections. There were no nonunions identified within the study. The mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle Hindfoot Score was 78.25 (range, 65-92). The average time to fusion was 3.9 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tibiotalar arthrodesis using a custom blade plate and a lateral approach is a reliable therapy for aseptic posttraumatic arthritis.
authors.affiliation: MetroHealth Medical Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA. gwera@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Glenn D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Wera
authors.forename: John K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Sontich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome