Minimally invasive ankle arthrodesis with percutaneous cannulated screws / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical results of minimally invasive ankle arthrodesis with percutaneous cannulated screws.MethodsBetween April 2005 and October 2010, 12 patients with the ankle arthrodesis for unilateral severe arthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence class Ⅲ) were prospectively analyzed, including 2 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 8 cases of post-traumatic arthritis, and 2 cases of osteoarthritis. There were 7 males and 5 females with an average age of 42.0 years(range, 25-7 1). The average disease duration was 7.3 years (range, 1-21). The anterior median incision of 3.0-5.0 cm was made to explore the ankle joint.The cartilage of tibial-talus joint was completely debrided. Two guide pins were inserted from posterosuperior to anteroinferior, and cannulated screws were implanted to fix ankle joint. All patients were physically examined with an extended protocol of questionnaires and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle and Hindfoot Scales. Ankle fusion in all patients was evaluated by clinical examination, and conventional radiography including anterior-posterior, lateral and mortise views of the ankle. ResultsAll 12 patients were followed up postoperatively for an average of 21.5 months(range, 6-55), and were proved be bone union by clinical examination and radiology with a mean of 13.5 weeks (range, 9-21). The AOFAS rating scale improved from a mean of 42.8±8.6 points at pre-operation to a mean of 66.6±5.4 points at post-operation 6 months,showing significant difference(t=-3.075, P=O.012), and to a mean of 72.3±4.6 at the final follow-up, also showing significant difference with pre-operation (t=-8.595, P=-0.006). There was no infection,local skin necrosis, screw loosing, and so on. ConclusionThe minimally invasive ankle arthrodesis with percutaneous cannulated scews is a recommend procedure, with mini-invasion, short surgery time, high fusion rate, good clinical outcomes, few complications.