Abstract
Aim and Purpose of the study
The authors evaluate the efficacy of athrodiatasis as possible alternative to arthrodesis or arthroplasty in the treatment of ankle arthritis in young patients. They present the long term results (average 19 years) of a small series of patients (10 cases) treated with a monolateral transarticular external fixator associated to different open or athroscopic procedures.
Material and Methodology
The patients have been revaluated with the Kitaoka scoring scale associated to the x-ray evaluation. The authors will compare these results with those reported for the same series at an early evaluation (2,5 y of follow up) and with those published in literature.
Discussion
Arthrodiatasis of the ankle with distraction and movement of the joint under weightbearing can guarantee an intermittent Hydrostatic pressure that has a trophyc effect on residual cartilage.
In 1995 a new interest in ankle distraction was promoted by a very active Duch group which in few years demonstrated that there was still space for this indication as alternative to the arthrodesis in very young and active patients because the functional and physical impairment, the pain and mobility of this joint can be improved also after the first year of follow up.
Our good results with the same approach seems to confirm their conclusions after a long term follow –up even if there is no correlation between the functional and radiological findings.
It is important to underline that frequently is necessary to associate to arthrodiatasis other ancillary arthroscopic or open procedures in order to optimise the results.
Conclusion
Arthodiatasis as possible alternative to arthrodesis or arthroplasty in the treatment of ankle arthritis is still a valid option in selected cases because can guarantee good functional results even at a long term follow-up.
