Yasui Y, Hannon CP, Seow D, Kennedy JG. Ankle arthrodesis: A systematic approach and review of the literature. World J Orthop 2016; 7(11): 700-708 [PMID: 27900266 DOI: 10.5312/wjo.v7.i11.700]
Corresponding Author of This Article
John G Kennedy, MD, MCh, MMSc, FRCS (Orth), Hospital for Special Surgery, 523 East 72nd Street, Suite 507, New York, NY 10021, United States. kennedyj@hss.edu
Research Domain of This Article
Orthopedics
Article-Type of This Article
Review
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Orthop. Nov 18, 2016; 7(11): 700-708 Published online Nov 18, 2016. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v7.i11.700
Ankle arthrodesis: A systematic approach and review of the literature
Youichi Yasui, Charles P Hannon, Dexter Seow, John G Kennedy
Youichi Yasui, Charles P Hannon, Dexter Seow, John G Kennedy, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, United States
Youichi Yasui, Charles P Hannon, Dexter Seow, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 2nd Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 1738606, Japan
Author contributions: All authors equally contributed to this paper with conception and design of the study, literature review and analysis, drafting and critical revision and editing, and final approval of the final version.
Conflict-of-interest statement: Kennedy JG is a consultant who has received research support from the Ohnell Family Foundation.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Correspondence to: John G Kennedy, MD, MCh, MMSc, FRCS (Orth), Hospital for Special Surgery, 523 East 72nd Street, Suite 507, New York, NY 10021, United States. kennedyj@hss.edu
Telephone: +1-646-7978880 Fax: +1-646-7978966
Received: May 16, 2016 Peer-review started: May 16, 2016 First decision: July 11, 2016 Revised: August 23, 2016 Accepted: September 13, 2016 Article in press: September 18, 2016 Published online: November 18, 2016
Core Tip
Core tip: Ankle arthrodesis is an effective treatment option for end stage arthritis. There is no current consensus on the most optimal approach and fixation method. It is thus important for the surgeon to understand both the open and arthroscopic approach and when each approach is indicated. Joint alignment must be slightly valgus (0°-5°), neutrally dorsiflexed and slightly in an externally rotated position. Limb length discrepancies should also be minimal (less than 2.5 cm or 1.0 inch). Failure to address these biomechanical aspects may result in pain and an altered gait pattern. The importance of adequate preoperative forefoot balance cannot be understated to allow for successful postoperative mobility. When performed according to these principles ankle arthrodesis leads to functional improvement and adequate joint fusion in patients with end stage arthritis.
