Use of the Taylor spatial frame in compression arthrodesis of the ankle: a study of 10 cases

Ankle fusion is a well established way of managing a variety of recalcitrant ankle pathologies including severe osteoarthritis and infected malunion of ankle fractures. Compression arthrodesis has been a widely accepted surgical means of achieving ankle fusion. The authors describe compression arthrodesis of the tibiotalar joint in 10 cases using the Taylor-Spatial Frame (TSF). From 2003 to 2005, 10 patients (9 male and 1 female) aged between 48 and 71 years (median age 61 years) underwent application of the TSF to achieve compression arthrodesis of 10 ankle joints. The TSF is an external fixator system supported by a computer program. After input of the radiological deformities referenced to one of the rings, the computer provides the detailed strut adjustments necessary to bring about gradual correction. The underlying pathology was severe posttraumatic arthritis (2 cases), malunion (1 case), nonunion of pilon fracture (1 case), and infected ankle (1 case). Five cases presented with previous failed surgical arthrodesis. Clinical, subjective, objective, and radiological analyses were performed regularly and at the end of an average follow-up of 16.7 months (range 12-26 months). Solid fusion in anatomical alignment with return to a fully functional status was obtained in 10 out of 10 ankles. The TSF has shown encouraging results as a simple, effective and versatile means of achieving compression arthrodesis of the ankle joint.