• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.134-138
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• 2000

Arthrodesis of the ankle joint is inevitable in the cases of severe arthrosis or defective bony structures around ankle joint. There have been many kinds of arthrodesis methods were introduced. In cases with failed athrodesis with previous arthrodesis surgery and neuropathic joints have difficulty to achieve fusion of joint with conventional methods. Authors underwent four cases of ankle fusion with vascularized fibular graft from 1997 in the cases of three failed fusions and one diabetic neuropatic joint. Two of four performed free vascularized fibular transplantation from contralateral side leg with microvascular anastomosis, two of four performed with pedicled fibular transposition to the ankle joint in same side leg. Three of four cases achieved arthrodesis average 9.2 months after surgery, one case was failed due to vascular thrombosis of the anastomosed site in diabetic neuropathic condition. The result of this technique revealed 75%(three of four) success rate and longer bone union time required. However, in these cases had no recommendable options with conventional bone graft and additional ankle joint fusions procedure because of poor bone quality and defect of distal tibia and talus portions. Free vascualrized fibular transfer to the failed athrodesis of ankle joint is one of the effective alternative methods in failed ankle fusion cases, especially the quality of the bone around previous fusion site is poor.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2018

Ankle osteoarthritis is a debilitating condition that causes severe pain associated with functional impairment and decreased activity. Ankle osteoarthritis, unlike that of the knee or hip joint, is rare in primary arthritis. Most cases are traumatic arthritis that occur after ankle sprain or fractures or chronic ankle instability. Although ankle fusion has been regarded as the standard treatment of ankle osteoarthritis in the past, total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is increasing due to the development of the implant design and surgical techniques. TAA is biomechanically superior to ankle fusion by preserving the movement of the ankle joint. In particular, it is functionally superior to ankle fusion because it enables normal joint motion during gait. In addition, there is an advantage of preserving the movement of the hindfoot and reducing the abnormal stress applied to the adjacent joints after ankle fusion to prevent the occurrence of long-term adjacent joint arthritis. Although the short-term and mid-term results of TAA have been reported to be excellent, long-term follow-up has a relatively low survival rate and high complication rate compared to total knee or hip arthroplasty. Therefore, continuous and further research is needed.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.171-175
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• 2004

Purpose: We evaluated the clinical and radiological results of arthroscopic ankle fusion using 2 medial screws which had advantages of less morbidity, early weight-bearing and high union rate. Material and Methods: From April, 2002 to March, 2004, 8 patients who had ankle osteoarthritis were treated by ankle fusion using 2 medial screws under arthroscopy; five patients with post-traumatic osteoarthritis, two with post-infectious arthritis and one with paralytic foot. There were 5 male and 3 female. Average age was 67 years old ranging from 57 to 71 years. We evaluated them clinically preoperative and postoperative using AOFAS score, VAS pain scale and patient's satisfaction. In regard to radiological fusion, we checked them by simple AP, lateral and mortise view. Follow up period was average 11 months (range, $6{\sim}24$ months). Results: All ankles were successfully fused with 2 medial screws under arthroscopy. The mean time of fusion was 10.5 weeks (range, $8{\sim}14$ weeks). Patient's satisfaction checked at 6 months after operation had favorable results (excellent and good 75%). One case had pain on medial malleolar area because of screw's protrusion. Conclusion: Arthroscopic ankle fusion using 2 medial screws was good modality of ankle fusion with less morbidity and early weight-bearing in some cases of ankle arthritis.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.132-138
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• 2011

Although first generation total ankle replacement (TAR) had high failure rates, recent investigations have reported good results of the newer generations of TAR due to advances in implant designs and techniques. Patient selection is critical to performing TAR to obtain promising outcomes and to decrease complication rate. As the current concepts of correcting the accompanying deformity have been established, TAR in moderate to severe varus deformity of the ankle result in favorable outcomes and indications for TAR are expanding. Correction of deformity and hindfoot fusion should be performed in conjunction with TAR if needed. If radiolucency around components or osteolysis is progressive during follow-up, CT should be carried out as a confirmative diagnostic method. TAR is an effective treatment modality alternative to ankle fusion. However, we should recognize that TAR is a demanding procedure, which requires accurate techniques, enough experience, and preoperative plan for a concomitant deformity.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2010

Purpose: The diabetic charcot neuroarthropathy of ankle is an infrequent site (around 5%), but is definitely the location that, because of the instability and progressive deformity it involves, cause ulceration in a high percentage of patients, and this can then become a reason for amputation. However, the treatment of this disastrous disease is still challenging. We analyzed the clinical and radiological results of ankle arthrodesis by our fixation method in Charcot neuroarthropathy. Materials and Methods: Seven cases that were diagnosed as charcot neuroarthropathy of ankle arthrodesis were followed for more than 16 months postoperatively. Mean age was 57 years, and the mean follow-up period was 27 months. Anterior approach was used in arthrodesis, and internal fixation by 3 or more cannulated screws and hybrid type external fixation were used. Auto iliac bone for grafting was combined in all cases. External fixator was kept for 3 months without weight-bearing. Then, boots brace was applied for more 3 months allowing partial weight-bearing. Four cases had minor complications such as pin site infection. Preoperative and postoperative AOFAS score, time to fusion and postoperative complications were checked. Results: Postoperative fusion was completed in all cases, and the mean time to fusion was 3.4 months. No postoperative complication was checked. At the last follow-up, the mean AOFAS score had increased from 54 points to 72 points. Patient's satisfaction was over 80%. Conclusion: Satisfactory results were obtained after ankle arthrodesis using internal and hybrid type external fixation combined with auto iliac bone graft in charcot neuroarthropathy with minor complications.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 1997

It was well known that arthrodesis of the tarsal joint is an exellent procedure to correct the flatfoot deformity for relieving pain. Recently, concept of the selective tarsal joint fusion instead of the triple fusion was developedto preserve the joint motion. To investigate and compare the effect of the each different tarsal fusion, we measured the strain at the spring ligament, medial roof of the medial longitudianl arch. Five fresh frozen cadevar foot specimens, with distal half of the tibia were utilized. The superomedial portion of the spring ligament complex was dissected from the origin to the insertion. For each specimen, a calibrated open liquid metal strain guage was secured along the length of the superomedial portion. Under the specially devised test rig, measurement of the strain was taken at each test condition from the tare weight 18.2 lb followed by 38.2 lb., 82.2 lb and a maximum loads of 134.6 lb. : 1) unfused condition, 2) isolated subtalar fusion 3) isolated talonavicular fusion 4) combined subtalar and talonavicular fusion 5) triple fusion. Statistics showed that siginificant reduction in strain following the triple fusion, and from the subtalar fusion to triple fusion.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.189-195
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate if the Ilizarov external fixation procedure with axial compression can help to obtain fusion across the ankle joint in patients with a high risk of nonunion. Materials and Methods: From January 2006 to December 2015, the study reviewed 17 patients who underwent ankle arthropathy with a high risk of nonunion and who underwent ankle fusion using the Ilizarov external fixator with axial compression and auto bone grafting. After the lateral surface of the ankle joint was exposed through a lateral trans-fibular approach, massive removal of the articular cartilage and excision of any loose or avascular bone were done. With the cortical bone harvested from the pelvis as corticocancellous bone blocks, we inserted the two cortical blocks longitudinally into the anterior and posterior part of the free ankle space from lateral to medial to make the rectangular chamber to fill the cancellous bones. After the Ilizarov external fixator was equipped, we tightened the frame by 5 mm to compress the bone graft space. We accessed the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) AnkleHindfoot score both preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: The average age at the time of operation was 63.4 years (range, 47~78 years). The mean frame time was 17.4 weeks (range, 15~23 weeks). The average follow-up period was 3.7 years (range, 2~6 years). Osseous fusion was obtained in 15 patients (88.2%). There were two stable pseudarthroses among the rheumatoid arthritis patients, and we continued their follow-up. The mean AOFAS AnkleHindfoot score improved from 48.5 to 73.7 points. Conclusion: Ankle arthrodesis using the Ilizarov external fixation with axial compression and auto bone grafting on the ankle arthropathy that had difficult conditions to achieve union is considered one of the useful methods with a correspondingly low incidence of complications.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological results of single and double fusions in the transverse tarsal joint. Materials and Methods: Between December 2000 and April 2009, 16 patients (16 feet) who had been treated by fusion of transverse tarsal joint were included in this study. In 8 patients, only talonavicular joint was fused and in the other 8 patients, both talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints were fused simultaneously. We have measured talo-first metatarsal angle, calcaneal pitch angle, talonavicular coverage angle and presence of adjacent joint arthritis for radiological assessment at both preoperative and last visit. Furthermore, we have evaluated Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and patient's satisfaction. Results: In a single fusion group, VAS was improved from $6.4{\pm}1.4$ to $0.8{\pm}1.0$ (p=0.0011) and AOFAS score was improved from $63.8{\pm}6.2$ to $89.4{\pm}9.8$ (p=0.0012). In a double fusion group, VAS was improved from $8.0{\pm}0.75$ to $2.0{\pm}1.8$ (p=0.0011) and AOFAS score was improved from $60.5{\pm}11.2$ to $89.5{\pm}6.0$ (p=0.0012). In the difference of talo-first metatarsal angle between two groups, a single fused group was more improved than a double fused group (p=0.04). Conclusion: Both single and double fusions are useful and attractive treatment for the transverse tarsal joint arthritis. Furthermore, a single fusion has advantages of less invasiveness and preserving some degree of hindfoot motion and could be an effective alternative to a double fusion if patient meets appropriate criteria through careful preoperative evaluation.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.100-105
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• 2013

Purpose: To present radiographic characteristics and report the clinical results of the operative treatment of M$\ddot{u}$ller-Weiss disease. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study including 13 patients, 14 feet who had been operated for M$\ddot{u}$ller-Weiss disease between April 2006 and December 2011. Osteoarthritis of the peri-navicular joints were radiographically evaluated. Various range of peri-navicular fusion and joint-preserving surgeries according to patients' symptoms and radiographic findings were done. The clinical results were evaluated by American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot scale and visual analogue scale (VAS). Results: On radiographs, osteoarthritic changes were presented at talonavicular joint in 11 cases, calcaneocuboid joint in 7 cases, subtalar joint in 6 cases, naviculo-cuneiform joint in 1 case. The mean anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle was 16.6 degrees. On hindfoot alignment view, 6 cases were varus, 5 cases were neutral and 3 cases were valgus alignment. Fusion comprised 6 cases in triple fusion, 1 case in talonavicular-cuneiform fusion, 2 cases in talonavicualr fusion and 1 case in talonavicular & calcaneocuboid fusion. Joint-preserving surgeries were bony fragment excision of the lateral part of navicular & medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy in 1 case, bony spur excision of talonavicular joint in 1 case and medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy in 2 cases. The postoperative AOFAS and VAS score were improved significantly (p=0.000, p=0.000). Conclusion: In cases of M$\ddot{u}$ller-Weiss disease without osteoarthritic changes at peri-navicular joints, fragment excision of navicular, bony spur excision with or without medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy were effective operative treatments.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.270-275
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• 2012

There may be complications after comminuted or intraarticular calcaneal fracture regardless of the initial treatment. Transcalcaneal talonavicular dislocation is rarely reported severe form of calcaneal fracture. We experienced a neglected transcalcaneal talonavicular subluxation case, who had been treated for intraarticular calcaneal fracture conservatively. Subtalar distraction bone block fusion was done for calcaneal malunion with talonavicular subluxation. Inspite of successful subtalar fusion, pain was persisted because of talonavicular re-subluxation with arthritis and calcaneocuboid arthritis. So, second operation, the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid fusion, was done. After union achieved, the patient's foot pain was improved. Calcaneal malunion combined with talonavicular subluxation and unstable transverse tarsal joint, such as this case, initial triple arthrodesis could be considered.