Bone Grafts Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bone Grafts, including details on spine fusion, surgery, procedure, risks.

[Ankle arthrodesis after failed joint replacement]

Zwipp H, Grass R

Direktor der Unfallchirurgischen Universitätsklinik Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstrasse 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany. uwc@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de

Report of four patients. OBJECTIVE: Restoration of a painless gait through ankle arthrodesis after failed total ankle replacement. INDICATIONS: Loosened or infected total ankle replacement. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Poor general health. Absent patient compliance. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Removal of total joint components. Filling of the defect with tricortical bone grafts harvested from the ipsilateral iliac crest and internal fixation. In instances of suspected infection a two-stage procedure is recommended, the first stage consisting of a removal of the components, a meticulous debridement, and filling of the defect with gentamycin-laden PMMA beads. Second stage: arthrodesis. RESULTS: The goal of surgery was reached without complications in two out of four patients. An absence of bony bridging was noted in the fourth patient after 9 months. A revision adding cancellous bone grafts and resorting to an intramedullary fixation led to a success.

Published 6 December 2005 in Oper Orthop Traumatol, 17(4): 518-33.
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