Ankle Arthrodesis - a Review of Current Techniques and Results

Ankle arthrodesis continues to be the golden standard in the treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis. Meticulous soft tissue handling, correct positioning of the foot, and stable fixation are crucial for obtaining a favorable result. With current techniques, mostly internal fixation with screws or plates, union rates between 87 and 100% are reported. Adjacent joint arthritis remains a concern in long-term follow-up, but does not always become symptomatic. It is pre-existing in a substantial number of cases and associated with fusion in less than optimal position, particularly equinus. With arthroscopic arthrodesis techniques, wound complications and scarring can be further reduced while obtaining similar fusion rates and equivalent, if not better, functional results when compared with open techniques. Key words: ankle, hindfoot, fusion, screws, plate, anterior approach, transfibular.