title: TIBIOTARSAL COMPRESSION ARTHRODESIS USING A LATERAL LOCKING PLATE.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tibiotalar (TT) arthrodesis is still a very important option in the treatment of primary or post-traumatic arthritis of the ankle but persists the controversy regarding the optimal method for the fixation of the arthrodesis site. No matter the implant used, the goal is to obtain a solid, healthy, pain-free fusion. The purpose of the current study is to present the preliminary results of a novel laterally based tibiotalar compression arthrodesis system using a locked plate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen consecutive patients with tibiotalar arthritis were submitted to an arthrodesis using a new lateral plating system. The average age was 59.7 years (range 36~72); nine patients were male and four female. Using a cutting guide, the remaining articular surfaces of the tibia and talus were removed. A compression device was applied to avoid malalignment of the ankle and a precontoured lateral locking plate was used to achieve the joint fusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and the VAS score improved with the surgery. All patients' ankles fused by 6 months. In all patients we found a very good alignment in the sagittal, coronal and transverse planes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that a combination of a bilateral compression, contoured bony cuts, and lateral locked plating offers a novel, accurate and useful technique for ankle arthrodesis.
authors.affiliation: Past-president, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Past-president, International Federation of Foot and Ankle Societies. Director, St. Alphonsus Foot and Ankle Clinic - Boise, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Coughlin
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor - UNIFESP - Escola Paulista de Medicina, SP, Brazil; President, Federación Latinoamericana de Cirugia de la Pierna y Pié, SP, Brazil; Board of Directors, IFFAS - International Federation of Foot and Ankle Societies, SP, Brazil; Past-president, ABTPé - Associação Brasileira de Tornozelo e Pé - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nery
authors.affiliation: Foot and Ankle Surgeon - Hospital Felício Rocho -Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Baumfeld
authors.affiliation: Foot and Ankle Surgeon - Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center of Medical Studies - Kalamazoo, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jastifer
keywords: Ankle Injuries; Arthrodesis; Bone Plates