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Published in: International Orthopaedics 6/2017

01-06-2017 | Original Paper

Comparative study of outcomes after ankle arthrodesis shows higher complication rates in cases operated upon by general orthopaedic surgeons

Authors: Krenn Sabine, Albers Sascha, Bock Peter, Mansfield Clemens, Chraim Michel, Trnka Hans-Joerg

Published in: International Orthopaedics | Issue 6/2017

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Abstract

Introduction

A functional assessment of 38 patients after ankle arthrodesis for the evaluation of the necessity of surgeons-specialisation was carried out by means of clinical evaluation and gait analysis after an average follow up of 30 months.

Methods

Scores were used to grade ankle function. Gate analysis was examined to determine the effect of arthrodesis on the ankle in relation to the surgeons’ experience. Under conditions of normal daily living, we found significant differences in life quality between patients operated upon by experts in orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery (group A) and patients operated by general orthopaedic surgeons (group B).

Results

All patients in group A had orthograde stance. Wrong screw positioning and a failed neutral tibio-talar position were the main problems in group B. Due to this, the re-operation rate was 10%.

Conclusion

Our findings may have implications for surgical training programs and for regionalisation of complex surgical procedures.
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Metadata
Title
Comparative study of outcomes after ankle arthrodesis shows higher complication rates in cases operated upon by general orthopaedic surgeons
Authors
Krenn Sabine
Albers Sascha
Bock Peter
Mansfield Clemens
Chraim Michel
Trnka Hans-Joerg
Publication date
01-06-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Orthopaedics / Issue 6/2017
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-017-3459-5

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