title: Tibiotalar arthrodesis in posttraumatic arthritis using the tension band technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although a variety of surgical techniques are available for the treatment of ankle degenerative disease, arthrodesis is a common treatment especially for unilateral posttraumatic arthritis in young patients. A clear trend toward internal fixation for ankle arthrodesis is evident, but fusion site compression is known to play an integral role in primary bone healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 2001 and October 2009, 17 adults with painful end-stage posttraumatic ankle arthritis were treated with the tension band technique to achieve tibiotalar arthrodesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tibiotalar fusion was obtained in all patients at a mean of 16.6 (range, 13 to 28) weeks. No patient had pain at the last postoperative follow-up examination. AOFAS and Mazur scores were preoperatively 29 and 23.1, respectively, and postoperatively 71.1 and 70.7, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arthrodesis with a tension band was a safe and effective surgical treatment option for posttraumatic ankle arthritis in patients without infection and good bone density, as it was simple, less invasive, and inexpensive and allowed early full weight-bearing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, retrospective case series.
authors.affiliation: Sumaré State Hospital, State University of Campinas, Brazil. mauriciomongon@gmail.com
authors.forename: Mauricio Leal Dias
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mongon
authors.forename: Kleber Vinicius
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Garcia Costa
authors.forename: Cintia Kelly
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Bittar
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Livani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000150:complications; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000601:surgery; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013628:Talus / Q000601:surgery*; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: ankle joint; arthritis; arthrodesis; bone screws; internal fixation; surgical fixation devices