TAnkle Arthrodesis Using Cannulated Screws under Arthroscopy -Three cases report-

관절경하 유관 나사를 이용한 족관절 관절 고정술 (3례 보고)

There have been numerous methods to obtain a stable arthrodesis of the tibiotalar joint. However, a controvercy has arisen over the most successful and reproducible method to obtain an arthrodesis. The objective of this report is to show that an ankle arthrodesis can be performed successfully and advantageously by using cannulated screws under arthroscopic control and that our csaes will be a part of the multicentric study of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis in korea. Between May 1996 and May 1997, we perfomed 3 ankle arthrodesis under arthroscopy using cannulated screws. Two patients had post-traumatic osteoarthritis and one had rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical ankylosis in one case and radiological union in two cases were obtained in 12 weeks postoperatively. We propose that arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis is effective procedure in patient who has minimal deformity and bone loss, advantages like small incision, minimal morbidity, low infection rate and rapid return to normal daily activity, but more cases and comparision with open tecnique will be needed.