Published online Dec 18, 2021. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v12.i12.1016
Peer-review started: March 28, 2021
First decision: June 16, 2021
Revised: June 27, 2021
Accepted: December 10, 2021
Article in press: December 10, 2021
Published online: December 18, 2021
Processing time: 261 Days and 1.8 Hours
Ankle arthrodesis is a commonly used treatment for end stage ankle arthrosis. There are two different surgical approaches: open arthrodesis and arthroscopic arthrodesis.
To compare the results of arthroscopic arthrodesis vs open arthrodesis and evaluate the different efficacy of these surgical approaches.
The aim of the study was to analyze the medium and long term results of the two surgical treatments using the clinical evaluation scales for the ankle.
Patients treated with open and arthroscopic technique were divided into two groups. To evaluate the surgical treatments we used The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle score (AOFAS), Freiburg Ankle score (FAS) and visual analogue scale for pain intensity. This study enrolled 23 patients which were evaluated preoperatively, at six months and at final follow-up (7 years).
Arthroscopic treatment shows better results at six months with the AOFAS and FAS. The decrease of pain at six months is present in both groups. At the final follow up both treatments show good clinical results. To be noted is the data relating to hospital stay, which appears to be lower for arthroscopic treatment.
There are no differences between open and arthroscopic treatments at clinical results at a medium to long term follow-up, and in both cases it was possible to achieve excellent results.
In perspective, despite being a medium-long term follow up, it is possible to re-evaluate the same court of patients at a greater distance to verify the stability of these results.