title: [Recent progress of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the latest research progress of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The literature concerning the research of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis in recent years was reviewed. Then the characteristics and new research progress of different internal and external fixation techniques were analysed and compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There are plenty of different types of internal and external fixation devices, each with distinct characteristics. Now it is widely considered that internal fixation is the first choice for end-stage ankle arthropathy. However, under the circumstances that patients with serious bone defect, chronic active infection, or extensive soft tissue damage are not suitable for internal fixation, ankle arthrodesis with external fixation is still a safe and effective method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For severe or end-stage ankle arthropathy, ankle arthrodesis is a mature therapeutic way with exact effect. Researches on these two aspects, expansion of indications of internal fixation and comparison and combination of internal and external fixation techniques, need to be deepened, which is of great significance for choosing a better fixation method and acquiring a better therapeutic effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.forename: Xianzhao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Jiacan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000601:surgery; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D016267:External Fixators; D006801:Humans; D018889:Ilizarov Technique / Q000295:instrumentation; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome