Chevron ankle arthrodesis with bone grafting and internal fixation

A new technique for ankle arthrodesis was described in 1983 by Marcus et al. in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. It is a chevron ankle arthrodesis with bone grafting and internal fixation. The operation has many features distinguishing it from previously described methods of ankle arthrodesis. The advantages of the technique over other methods of arthrodesis include: bimalleolar approach to the ankle providing excellent exposure; minimal bone resection of the tibiotalar joint, thereby preserving height of the joint and length of the extremity; inherent mechanical stability at the osteotomy sites afforded by the Chevron cuts; several features designed to enhance rapid fusion, including the congruity and stability of the cuts made, onlay bone grafting and rigid internal compression fixation; a normal-looking ankle contour postoperatively, resulting in a superior cosmetic result. The operation has been utilized at St. Anne's Hospitals and can be augmented for use in pantalar arthrodesis.