RESECTION ARTHRODESIS BY TRIANGULAR EXTERNAL FIXATION FOR POSTTRAUMATIC ARTHROSIS OF THE ANKLE – CLINICAL RESULTS IN 95 CASES

Introduction: In the last ten years there is a clear favour toward internal fixation. We evaluated the technique and the clinical long term results of external fixation in a triangular frame.Patients and Methods: From 1994 to 2001 a consecutive series of 95 patients with end stage arthritis of the ankle joint were treated. Retrospectively the case notes were evaluated. Mean age at the index procedure was 45.4 years (18–82), 67 patients were male (70.5%). In all cases the arthritic deformity was due to a posttraumatic condition. The index procedure took place on average 129 months (6–516 months) after trauma. Preoperatively 43 patients had a relevant mal-alignment. In 41 patients the range of motion (ROM) was decreased with a remaining ROM of < 20°, in further 37 cases the remaining ROM was < 10° ROM. Via a bilateral approach the malleoli and the joint surfaces were resected. An AO fixator was applied with four Steinmann-nails inserted. Follow up examination at mean 4.4 years included a standardised questi...