0 Item(s)
Converting Failed Ankle Arthroplasty to Arthrodesis
Although recent studies have discussed the use of revision total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) to manage failed initial TAA, arthrodesis remains the standard method used to salvage failed ankle arthroplasty. Typically, considerable osteolysis exists about the implant that may result in the formation of a large bony defect that must be managed with bone grafting. Occasionally, these bony defects are a result of sepsis after TAA. This chapter reviews the technique for converting a failed TAA to arthrodesis using an intramedullary rod with a proximal dynamic locking hole. In the setting of infection, a two-stage procedure is described. First, an antibiotic cement spacer is placed and the patient receives intravenous antibiotic treatment for 6 weeks, after which arthrodesis is performed using an intramedullary rod.