Foot Ankle Int. 1997 Sep;18(9):580-585
Levine SE, Myerson MS, Lucas P, Schon LC
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We retrospectively reviewed the treatment of a selected group of 23 patients with pseudoarthrosis after ankle arthrodesis who underwent revision arthrodesis at an average of 1.7 years (range, 0.3-17.0 years) after the initial, unsuccessful procedure.
METHODS: Fourteen patients underwent isolated revision tibiotalar arthrodesis, and 9 had an additional hindfoot arthrodesis (7 tibiotalocalcaneal, 2 pantalar) performed at the time of the procedure. Rigid internal fixation with screws was performed when possible, and, in patients with poor bone quality, an external fixator was used. Autogenous bone grafting was used in 14 patients where bone loss was present.
RESULTS: Twenty-one of 23 patients had successful union (average, 14 weeks; range, 6-48 weeks). Two patients underwent successful arthrodesis but had persistent pain from reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Overall, 19 of 23 patients were satisfied with the surgery.
CONCLUSION: We conclude that revision arthrodesis for tibiotalar pseudoarthrosis is a worthwhile procedure.
Copyright © 1997 (Foot Ankle Int. Sep;18(9):580-585) by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Inc., originally published in Foot & Ankle International, and reproduced here with permission.