Ankle arthrodesis following trauma, a useful salvage procedure - a report on three cases

Open musculoskeletal injuries remain a difficult problem to manage especially in resource-poor regions. They are complicated by prolonged morbidity and chronic osseous infections and sometimes gangrene. Our objective was to look at ankle arthrodesis as a primary and useful salvage procedure through simple technique for cases of severe open ankle injuries. Three patients with severe open ankle injuries between January 2007 and December 2009 were seen and had wound debridement done and compressive ankle arthrodesis with a Charnley's arthrodesis clamp. Tibiotalar and tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis was the procedure carried out. Patients were followed up for 3-12 months. Wound breakdown was seen in two cases and one later had skin grafting. All patients expressed satisfaction with the outcome of surgery. Ankle arthrodesis is a simple and useful salvage procedure for severe ankle disruption, guaranteeing patients satisfaction as against amputation.