The outcome of arthroscopic and open surgery ankle arthrodesis: A comparative retrospective study on 107 patients

PurposeTo evaluate the results of arthroscopic guided ankle arthrodesis, and the results of open surgery arthrodesis in two comparable groups of patients.MethodsA group of 58 arthroscopic guided ankle arthrodeses was compared to a group of 49 ankles arthrodeses operated by open technique. The patients and ankles in both groups fulfilled the same criteria of inclusion except that the ankles operated by open technique had a varus/valgus malalignment exceeding 5°. The pre- and postoperative treatment protocols were identical.ResultsThe patients in the arthroscopic group were discharged on average 2.27 days earlier than the patients operated by open technique (p < 0.01). Ninety percent of the patients in the arthroscopic group and 57% in the open group showed bony union after 12 weeks (p < 0.01). The rate of union after 1 year was 95% in the arthroscopic group and 84% in the open group (n.s.).ConclusionArthroscopic guided ankle arthrodesis represents a safe and cost saving procedure.