CASE REPORT
Results of Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis with Fixation Using Two Parallel Headless Compression Screws in a Heterogenic Group of Patients
Lukas Kolodziej1, *, Boguslaw Sadlik2, Sebastian Sokolowski1, Andrzej Bohatyrewicz1
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2017Volume: 11
First Page: 37
Last Page: 44
Publisher ID: TOORTHJ-11-37
DOI: 10.2174/1874325001711010037
Article History:
Received Date: 18/12/2016Revision Received Date: 08/01/2017
Acceptance Date: 20/01/2017
Electronic publication date: 24/02/2017
Collection year: 2017
open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode). This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Background:
As orthopedic surgeons become skilled in ankle arthroscopy technique and evidence -based data is supporting its use, arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis (AAA) will likely continue to increase, but stabilization methods have not been described clearly. We present a technique for two parallel 7.3-mm headless compression screws fixation (HCSs) for AAA in cases of ankle arthritis with different etiology, both traumatic and non-traumatic, including neuromuscular and inflammatory patients.
Materials and Methods:
We retrospectively verified 24 consecutive patients (25 ankles) who underwent AAA between 2011 and 2015. The average follow-up was 26 months (range 18 to 52 months). Arthrodesis was performed in 16 patients due to posttraumatic arthritis (in 5 as a sequela of pilon, 6 ankles, 3 tibia fractures, and 2 had arthritis due to chronic instability after lateral ligament injury), in 4 patients due to neuromuscular ankle joint deformities, and in 4 patients due to rheumatoid arthritis.
Results:
Fusion occurred in 23 joints (92%) over an average of 12 weeks (range 6 to 18 weeks). Ankle arthrodesis was not achieved in 2 joints (8%), both in post-pilon fracture patients. The correct foot alignment was not achieved in 4 feet (16%). None of the treated patients required hardware removal.
Conclusion:
The presented technique was effective in achieving a high fusion rate in a variety of diseases, decreasing intra- and post-operative hardware complications while maintaining adequate bone stability.
