Comparative study of ankle arthrodesis using cross screw fixation versus anterior contoured plate plus cross screw fixation.

Arthrodesis of the ankle joint is still the traditional treatment for symptomatic osteoarthritis. This comparative study was done to assess the functional outcome of open ankle fusion using either cross screw fixation (group A) or anterior contoured plate and cross screw fixation (group B) in a consecutive series of 22 patients. All the patients had the same inclusion criteria. All the patients in both groups underwent the same operative technique and were operated by the same surgeon. Mean follow-up was 26.8 months. The mean time to fusion was 18.8 weeks in group A and 16.8 weeks in group B (p = 0.046). The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle and Hind foot score at the final follow-up was 79 in group A and 86 in group B (p = 0.23). Two patients in group A that went to non-union required re-arthrodesis using contoured plate and cross screw fixation; both attained eventual union. We conclude that anterior contoured plate plus cross screw fixation is a simple and reproducible technique for ankle arthrodesis that gives stable internal fixation and excellent clinical results.