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Updated: Mar 27, 2026
Treatment of Ankle Osteoarthritis with Total Ankle Replacement Through a Lateral Transfibular Approach
Published on: January 24, 2018
Midterm results of posterior arthroscopic ankle fusion
Peter A J de Leeuw1,2,3, Roel P M Hendrickx4,5, C Niek van Dijk4,6,7
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Research Center Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.a.deleeuw@amc.nl.
Purpose:
The presented study was performed to evaluate the midterm clinical and radiological results and complication rates of the first 40 patients with an ankle fusion through a posterior arthroscopic approach.
Methods:
Forty consecutive patients with end-stage post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis were treated with posterior arthroscopic ankle fusion. All patients were assessed clinically as well as radiologically with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and Foot Function Index (FFI) were used to assess clinical improvement.
Results:
Clinical fusion was achieved in 40 patients within 3 months (100%), and radiological fusion was achieved in 40 patients at 12 months. Two screw mal-placements occurred. Both complications were solved following revision surgery. A significant improvement was noted for both the FAAM [median 38 (range 17-56) to 63 (range 9-84)] and FFI scores [median 66 (range 31-89) to 32 (range 11-98)] for all 40 patients.
Conclusion:
The posterior arthroscopic ankle fusion is an effective and safe treatment option for end-stage post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis at midterm follow-up.
Level Of Evidence:
Prospective cohort study, Level IV.
