[Experiences with joint-preserving operations in arthrosis of the upper ankle joint]

During a period of ten years we performed 140 joint conserving operations on patients with arthrosis of the ankle joint. The use of this procedure was analysed in 85 patients, whom we followed up. Mainly (in 89%) positive results were obtained. The success of such joint conserving surgery depends on the one hand on the seriousness of the injury leading to arthrosis and on the other hand on the duration of the complaints. If attention is paid to these factors we have after the failure of conservative therapy a satisfying complementary treatment before using the arthrodesis.