Fusion in posttraumatic foot and ankle reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Biomechanics
• Podiatric medicine

Background:

• Posttraumatic arthritis frequently develops in the foot and ankle despite initial treatment.
• Arthrodesis (joint fusion) is the standard surgical approach for end-stage foot and ankle arthritis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To emphasize the importance of biomechanical understanding in guiding surgical fusion for foot and ankle arthritis.
• To outline diagnostic methods for identifying the specific joints causing pain in end-stage arthritis.

Main Methods:

• Detailed patient history and physical examination.
• Radiographic imaging.
• Differential selective anesthetic blocks to pinpoint pain generators.
• Application of compression or neutralization fixation techniques.

Main Results:

• Accurate identification of painful joints through clinical assessment and anesthetic blocks is crucial for successful fusion.
• Compression fixation is preferred when feasible.
• Neutralization fixation is indicated for bone defects to prevent secondary deformities.

Conclusions:

• Understanding foot and ankle biomechanics is essential for effective surgical management of posttraumatic arthritis.
• Targeted arthrodesis of symptomatic joints, guided by thorough evaluation, optimizes functional outcomes.
• Appropriate fixation techniques, including compression or neutralization, are vital for successful arthrodesis.