Arthrodesis of the distal tibiofibular joint for a large osteochondroma in an adult.

A case of a large osteochondroma of the distal tibia with distortion of the distal tibiofibular joint is presented. This could not be managed by traditional means, as excision would have resulted in ankle and tibiofibular joint instability. The problem was overcome by performing an arthrodesis. Only enough bone from both the tibia and the fibula was excised to provide a host bed for bone graft. We believe that symptomatic osteochondromata should usually be excised. However, if this would result in damage, then the method described offers an alternative management strategy.