Conversion of failed ankle arthroplasty to an arthrodesis : Technique using an arthrodesis nail and a cage filled with morsellized bone graft

Arthrodesis of the ankle joint after a failed ankle prosthesis is most often demanding because of bone loss. The bone loss is also responsible for limb length discrepancy. Intramedullary nail fixation has been described to be successful for arthrodesis of the arthritic ankle joint. We report the use of the nail technique in combination with a morsellized bone graft in and around a cage to convert failed ankle prosthesis with bone loss into an arthrodesis. The advantages which were strived for include developing a more practical operative method with lower morbidity (no autograft), early mobilization and weight-bearing provided by the stability of the internal fixation and restoration of limb length.