Knee arthrodesis with a tension-band plate.

Twenty-six patients had an arthrodesis of the knee using a single anterior, broad, contoured dynamic-compression plate and screws that were applied as a tension band. Bone grafts were not used. No external immobilization was required, and immediate partial weight-bearing was encouraged. The minimum follow-up period was two years, and solid osseous union occurred in each patient. When last seen, all patients were free of pain and could walk without external support. The desired alignment was achieved in each patient, and no complications that were related to this method occurred. Tension-band plating, in our opinion, represents the best method of arthrodesis of the knee that is currently available.