[Comparative biomechanical evaluation of the immediate stability of three fixators in arthrodesis of the ankle].

The best type of osteosynthesis for ankle arthrodesis is controversial. Arthrodesis was performed on 21 cadaveric ankles using either the T-plate compression device, crossed cancellous-bone screws or the Charnley external fixator. The instrumented ankles were tested in five degrees of freedom. Internal fixation was more stable. More specifically, the compression T-plate was the most stable, and the Charnley external fixator was the least stable, for all degrees of freedom tested. In addition to the multiple clinical advantages of internal fixation, the results of our study support its use as a method of obtaining the most stable immediate fixation for ankle arthrodesis.