Tibiotalocalcaneal fusion using retrograde intramedullary nails as a salvage procedure for failed total ankle prostheses in rheumatoid arthritis

In patients with rheumatoid arthritis and a failed total ankle prosthesis, tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with a retrograde intramedullary nail resulted in primary healing in two-thirds of the cases. Only two patients with a fused ankle were dissatisfied with the final result. The procedure is recommended in selected cases as an alternative to external fixation.