Role of allo-bone graft in arthroscopy-assisted ankle arthrodesis

Objective To study the role of allo-bone graft in arthroscopy-assisted ankle arthrodesis. Methods Twenty-four patients who underwent arthroscopy--assisted ankle arthrodesis in our department from March 2006 to August 2010 (13 with allo-bone graft and 11 without allo-bone graft) were retrospectively analyzed.Their ankle pain was scored according to the visual analog scale(VAS)and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) before and after operation. Results The patients were followed up, during which their gait and ankle pain were significantly improved.Their VAS score was significantly lower whereas their AOFAS score was significantly higher 1 year after operation than before operation(1.7±0.5 vs 7.2±1.2, 80.7±5.2 vs 49.5± 9.8, P＜ 0.05).The bone tissue was fused in 12 patients with allo-bone graft and in 8 patients without allo-bone graft in 12 weeks after operation. Conclusion Arthroseopy-assisted ankle arthrodesis is an ideal procedure for ankle fusion and allo-bone graft can shorten its fusion time.