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Ilizarov Ankle Arthrodesis: A Simple Salvage Solution for Failed and Neglected Ankle Fractures

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Abstract

Background

Infection around the ankle joint after fracture fixation, or septic arthritis with active discharging sinuses is often challenging to manage with conventional procedures of arthrodesis. The Ilizarov method of arthrodesis gives a better alternative for salvage in such cases.

Methods

This was a retrospective study including 20 patients who were subjected to tibiotalar arthrodesis with Ilizarov method. The major pathologies included internal fixation of ankle fractures complicated by infection, posttraumatic infected ankle arthritis, and osteomyelitis. The patients were evaluated on the basis of Association for the Study and Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) criteria. The aim of the surgery was to achieve plantigrade, stable, and painless foot with no signs of infection.

Results

A total of 20 patients were operated and reviewed at our institute. The study comprised of 15 male and 5 female patients with a mean age of 43.9 years (range 33–55 years). Out of 20 patients, 4 patients had complications of pin-tract infection and one had wire breakage of the forefoot ring. According to the ASAMI criteria, 17 patients had excellent bone scores and 18 patients had good functional scores. Union was achieved in all patients with resolution of infection and the mean limb length discrepancy was 1.92 cm (range 1–2.5 cm).

Conclusions

The Ilizarov fixator for ankle arthrodesis provides an excellent way for strong bone fusion, infection eradication, early weight-bearing, and the added benefits of compression at the arthrodesis site post-operatively.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Dr. D Y Patil Medical College and Hospital, Sector 7, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400706, India

    Ajit Chalak, Sushmit Singh, Sachin Kale, Javed Hussain & Ronak Mishra

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, MGM Medical College Hospital, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, India

    Ashok Ghodke

Authors
  1. Ajit Chalak
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  2. Sushmit Singh
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  3. Ashok Ghodke
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  4. Sachin Kale
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  5. Javed Hussain
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  6. Ronak Mishra
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Correspondence to Sushmit Singh.

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Conflict of Interest

Ajit Chalak, Sushmit Singh, Ashok Ghodke, Sachin Kale, Javed Hussain, and Ronak Mishra declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Standard Statement

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the any of the authors.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Chalak, A., Singh, S., Ghodke, A. et al. Ilizarov Ankle Arthrodesis: A Simple Salvage Solution for Failed and Neglected Ankle Fractures. JOIO 56, 1587–1593 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-022-00669-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-022-00669-6

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