Distraction arthroplasty for ankle osteoarthritis

Abstract

Ankle distraction arthroplasty has been gaining popularity as an alternative to fusion and prosthetic replacement. Unloading arthritic ankle joint reverses the sclerotic process and protects the remaining cartilage. Published series reveal pain relief with increased ankle functional scores. It is possible to use both static and dynamic external fixators for the process. This chapter discusses clinical aspects, surgical techniques, and current trends of the ankle distraction arthroplasty.