ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the therapeutic effects of steel plate fixation after the failure of arthrodesis of ankle by screw fixation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From August 2001 to October 2011, 15 patients were with steel plate fixation after failure of arthrodesis of ankle by screw fixation. Among patients, 9 cases were males and 6 cases were females,ranging age from 40 to 65 years old with the average of 56 years old. Ten cases were in left and 5 cases were in right. Screws were removed and steel plate was fixed intraoperatively, and plaster external fixation for postoperation. Clincal effect were evaluated according to AOFAS scoring system from pain, waliking ability and aligment before and after operation, and X-ray was used to evaluate joint fusion after operation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 4 months to 4 years with an average of 2 years. The incison were healed in stage I. No ankle pain,injury of blood vessel and nerve,infection and farilure of internal fixation occuerred. The AOFAS score increased from 36.86 +/- 8.32 preoperatively to 85.09 +/- 4.65 (t = -26.366, P = 0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Steel plate fixation after the failure of ankle arthrodesis of screw fixation has the advantages of rigid stability, simple manipulation and high success rate, less pain, perfect recovery.</p>