Open ankle arthrodesis with a fibular-sparing technique

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
• Arthrodesis Techniques

Background:

• Traditional ankle arthrodesis often involves fibular excision or osteotomy.
• Fibular preservation offers advantages like enhanced bony union surface area and preserved peroneal groove.
• Maintaining fibular integrity may prevent valgus drift and aid future ankle arthroplasty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the fusion rate and clinical outcomes of a novel open fibular-sparing ankle arthrodesis technique.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of preserving the fibula during ankle fusion surgery.

Main Methods:

• A consecutive series of 50 ankle arthrodeses utilizing the open fibular-sparing technique were analyzed.
• The study included 46 patients (average age 52 years) with postoperative assessments including radiographs, complication tracking, patient satisfaction, and functional scoring.

Main Results:

• Out of 42 reviewed ankles, 93% achieved bony union within an average of 12 weeks.
• 86% of patients reported complete satisfaction with the surgical outcome.
• The average AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale was 84, with a low Foot Function Index pain subscale score of 1.

Conclusions:

• The open fibular-sparing ankle arthrodesis technique successfully preserves the fibula.
• This method achieves a high fusion rate and yields favorable patient-reported outcomes.
• The technique demonstrates a promising alternative for ankle fusion with good functional results.