ARTHROSCOPIC ANKLE ARTHRODESIS IN RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Several techniques for ankle arthrodesis have been described, Many of them are not suitable in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis bec ause of multiple joint involvement, osteoporosis, and increased risk o f infection caused by poor skin conditions, The arthroscopic technique described in this article has been used in 7 patients with seropositi ve rheumatoid arthritis and 1 patient with seronegative rheumatoid art hritis (10 ankle joints; 2 patients surgically treated bilaterally), A ll patients successfully obtained ankle joint arthrodesis, The mean ti me to fusion was 10 weeks (range, 6-12 weeks). There was a 100% fusion rate without any complication.