Ankle arthrodesis in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

The objective of the investigation was to study the results of ankle arthrodesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The long-term results of treatment were analyzed and studied in 9 RA patients with synovitis. These were assessed using the Luboshitz-Mathis procedure: 6 (66.7%) patients achieved a good result; 1 (11.1%) and 2 (22.2%) had satisfactory and poor results, respectively. It was found that synovectomy should be performed during arthrodesis and the latter should itself be attended by minimal shortening. The paper describes the authorXs procedure of osteoplastic ankle arthrodesis that minimizes limb shortening. The essence of the operation is to cut out two autografts from the ankle and shin bones with cylindrical hollow milling cutters. The grafts are turned through a certain angle to block the ankle joint area and are fixed by spirally wedging. The proposed procedure makes it possible to perform arthrodesis rapidly and with minimum blood loss and to have bony ankylosis within 2-3 months ahead.