CAN ILIZAROV JOINT DISTRACTION DELAY THE NEED FOR AN ARTHRODESIS OF THE ANKLE - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

We applied joint distraction using an Ilizarov apparatus in 11 patient s with post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the ankle to try to delay the need for an arthrodesis. Distraction for three months resulted in clin ical improvement in pain and mobility for a mean of two years, with an increase in the joint space. We considered that these effects may be produced by the absence of mechanical stress on the cartilage combined with the intra-articular hydrostatic pressures during distraction. We measured these pressures during walking with distraction, and found l evels very similar to those reported to improve osteoarthritic cartila ge when applied in vitro.