title: A technique of fusion for failed total replacement of the ankle: tibio-allograft-calcaneal fusion with a locked retrograde intramedullary nail.
abstract: Salvage of a failed total ankle replacement is technically challenging and although a revision procedure may be desirable, a large amount of bone loss or infection may preclude this. Arthrodesis can be difficult to achieve and is usually associated with considerable shortening of the limb. We describe a technique for restoring talar height using an allograft from the femoral head compressed by an intramedullary nail. Three patients with aseptic loosening were treated successfully by this method with excellent symptomatic relief at a mean follow-up of 32 months (13 to 50).
authors.affiliation: Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust, Exeter, England.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomason
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Eyres
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001858:Bone Nails; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000601:surgery; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D023821:Limb Salvage / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012086:Reoperation; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome