Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
09:01
Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis with Total Ankle Replacement Through a Lateral Transfibular Approach
Published on: January 24, 2018
12.0K
Modified Blair ankle fusion for ankle arthritis
Shuangli Wang1, Zhang Huang, Gaoxin Xiong
1Department of Orthopedics, Third Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230061, China.
Summary
Modified Blair ankle fusion effectively treats ankle arthritis, offering pain relief and improved function. This procedure demonstrates high feasibility, low cost, and reliable clinical outcomes for patients with ankle pain.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Foot and Ankle Surgery
Background:
- Ankle arthritis significantly impacts quality of life due to pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
- Traditional treatments may not adequately address severe ankle arthritis and associated deformities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the modified Blair ankle fusion technique for managing ankle arthritis.
- To assess functional outcomes and patient-reported pain levels following the procedure.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study included 28 patients (13 male, 15 female; average age 49.4 years) with ankle arthritis.
- Patients underwent modified Blair ankle fusion, with functional assessment using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
- Outcomes were evaluated preoperatively and at a minimum 1-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- All 28 patients achieved successful ankle fusion at 1-year follow-up, with complete symptom relief.
- Significant improvements were observed in AOFAS scores (45.38 to 83.13, P<0.01) and VAS pain scores (8.01 to 2.31, P<0.05).
- Minor superficial wound infections occurred in 3 cases, resolved with debridement; no implant failures or nonunions were reported.
Conclusions:
- Modified Blair ankle fusion is a feasible, cost-effective technique providing rigid fixation for ankle arthritis.
- The procedure demonstrates high reliability in pain reduction and achieves favorable clinical effectiveness.
- This surgical approach offers a valuable option for managing debilitating ankle arthritis.
