J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2009 Apr;44(2):165-169.

Ankle Arthrodesis with using Variable Pitch Tapered Screws (Acutrak(R) Screw) Fixation

• Chung DW
• Lee JH
• Jeong BO
• Park KH

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of open arthrodesis with using variable pitch tapered screws (Acutrak(R) screw) for treating ankle arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 14 patients with 16 cases of performing ankle arthrodesis with using variable pitch tapered screws. Clinical evaluation was performed with using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot functional scale and the visual analogue scale pain score, and we assessed the postoperative complications and the patient's satisfaction. Radiological evaluation was performed by the assessing the time to union, the position of union, and the degenerative changes of the adjacent joints of the foot. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 15 months. The ankle-hindfoot functional scale was improved from an average of 38.9 points (range: 27-57 points) preoperatively to an average of 77.3 points (range: 66-89 points) at the last follow up. The visual analogue scale pain score was decreased from an average of 7.9 (range: 3-10) to 2.9 (range: 0-5), and 13 cases (81%) were satisfied with the outcome of surgery. For all the cases, radiological union was obtained at an average of 11.2 weeks (range: 6-16 weeks). CONCLUSION: We performed arthrodesis with using variable pitch tapered screws for treating ankle arthritis, and satisfactory short term results were obtained both clinically and radiologically.

Keyword

Ankle joint; Arthritis; Ankle fusion

MeSH Terms

Animals
Ankle
Ankle Joint
Arthritis
Arthrodesis
Follow-Up Studies
Foot
Humans
Joints
Postoperative Complications

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Ankle anteriorposterior and lateral radiography of 66 years old female with primary osteoarthritis. (B) Ankle arthrodesis with transarticular crossed screw fixation performed. At postoperative 10 weeks, ankle radiography showed fusion of ankle.

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  Fig. 2 (A) Another radiography of ankle of 55 years old male with end stage primary osteoarthritis. (B) Radiographs taken 18 weeks after ankle arthrodesis showed solid fusion of the ankle.

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