• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.131-136
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• 2023

Purpose: This study compared the clinical and radiology results of arthrodesis between the anterior and transfibular approaches with a lateral malleolar-saving procedure in ankle arthritis. Materials and Methods: This study was a retrospective study of 31 cases who underwent ankle arthrodesis with the anterior approach (14 cases) and trans-fibular approach (17 cases). The remnant lateral malleolus was fixed during the trans-fibular procedure. The patients included 17 females and 14 males with a mean age of 57.2 (range 41~73) years; the mean follow-up was 30.4 (range 15~68) months. The clinical and radiology outcomes, including the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, visual analog scale (VAS), and union time, were recorded. The complications and subjective satisfaction degrees were also recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: Clinically, the preoperative mean AOFAS score and VAS in the anterior approach group were 39.3 and 7.4, respectively, which changed to 61.9 and 3.1 postoperatively. In the trans-fibular approach group, the mean AOFAS score and VAS increased from 36.6 to 64.2 and 7.1 to 2.4, respectively. On the other hand, no significant differences in the clinical results were observed between the two groups. The time to achieve union was 9.2 and 11.6 weeks in the anterior and transfibular approach groups, respectively. Three patients (21%) complained of tenderness and discomfort around the fibular tip in the anterior approach group, and seven patients (41%) showed a gap between the talus and remnant lateral malleolus in the trans-fibular approach group. Conclusion: There was no difference in the clinical and radiological results between the anterior and transfibular approaches with a lateral malleolar saving procedure in ankle arthrodesis. Careful selection of the approach method according to the patient's preoperative condition is needed to prevent remnant discomfort or nonunion around the lateral malleolus.

• 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.