Surgical treatment of patients with osteoarthritis of the ankle joint

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the results of treatment using the authors’ proposed method of arthrodesis of the ankle and subtalar joints, based on the combination of bone grafting with compression in the Ilizarov apparatus. Methods. Conducted was a clinical and radiographic evaluation of the results of arthrodesis in the Ilizarov apparatus in 286 patients with osteoarthritis of the ankle and subtalar joints (during the last 15 years). 36 (12.6%) patients (the main group) were operated on using the authors’ proposed technique. Results. Bone adhesion as a result of arthrodesis was achieved in all patients of the main group. Excellent functional results were achieved in 11 out of 36 patients (30.5%), good results - in 22 (61.1%) patients, satisfactory results - in 3 (8.4%) patients. Bone adhesion as a result of arthrodesis in 250 patients of the comparison group was achieved in 243 patients (97.2%). In this group excellent functional results were achieved in 76 out of 250 patients (30.4%), good results - in 145 (58%) patients, satisfactory results - in 21 (8.4%) patients, poor results - in 8 (3.2%) patients. Conclusion. The proposed method of biarticular arthrodesis makes it possible to improve the trophism of the arthrodesis zone, to conduct the correction of posttraumatic deformities in the region of the ankle and subtalar joints, provides a durable and solid bone ankylosis of the ankle and subtalar joints, and makes it possible to achieve adhesion even in severe forms of osteoarthritis of the ankle and subtalar joints.