Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate if the Ilizarov external fixation procedure with axial compression can help to obtain fusion across the ankle joint in patients with a high risk of nonunion. Materials and Methods: From January 2006 to December 2015, the study reviewed 17 patients who underwent ankle arthropathy with a high risk of nonunion and who underwent ankle fusion using the Ilizarov external fixator with axial compression and auto bone grafting. After the lateral surface of the ankle joint was exposed through a lateral trans-fibular approach, massive removal of the articular cartilage and excision of any loose or avascular bone were done. With the cortical bone harvested from the pelvis as corticocancellous bone blocks, we inserted the two cortical blocks longitudinally into the anterior and posterior part of the free ankle space from lateral to medial to make the rectangular chamber to fill the cancellous bones. After the Ilizarov external fixator was equipped, we tightened the frame by 5 mm to compress the bone graft space. We accessed the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) AnkleHindfoot score both preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: The average age at the time of operation was 63.4 years (range, 47~78 years). The mean frame time was 17.4 weeks (range, 15~23 weeks). The average follow-up period was 3.7 years (range, 2~6 years). Osseous fusion was obtained in 15 patients (88.2%). There were two stable pseudarthroses among the rheumatoid arthritis patients, and we continued their follow-up. The mean AOFAS AnkleHindfoot score improved from 48.5 to 73.7 points. Conclusion: Ankle arthrodesis using the Ilizarov external fixation with axial compression and auto bone grafting on the ankle arthropathy that had difficult conditions to achieve union is considered one of the useful methods with a correspondingly low incidence of complications.
