Ilizarov arthrodesis as a salvage procedure in infected posttraumatic arthritic ankle: experience in 11 patients

Ankle arthrodesis is the most common procedure for the treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis. Several techniques are used to achieve solid fusion; however, Ilizarov external fixation is preferable in complex cases such as those involving bone loss, infection, or poor condition of the soft-tissue envelope.

Between 2010 and 2013, 11 patients with end-stage posttraumatic ankle arthritis complicated by infection, irrespective of bone loss status, were treated with Ilizarov external fixation. The average patient age was 32.5 yr (range, 16–52 yr), including eight male and three female patients. All cases were posttraumatic and exhibited infection, with three also showing bone defects. Bone lengthening after acute shortening was performed in three patients.

Solid fusion was achieved within a mean period of 21.5 wk in all the patients. Infection was eliminated in 10 patients. Most patients …