The purpose of this study was to review 15 years of experience with an
kle fusions, specifically addressing the underlying etiology of ankle
pathology, incidence of nonunion, and associated predisposing conditio
ns that can lead to nonunion. Seventy-eight ankle fusions, performed b
etween 1975 and 1990, were reviewed for this study. The average follow
-up was 4 years. Patients with nonunion were evaluated separately to l
ook at the predisposing factors that may have lead to nonunion. Factor
s associated with nonunion included fracture type, evidence of avascul
ar necrosis, infection, major medical problems, and open injuries. Fac
tors that were not associated with nonunion included age, past history
of subtalar or triple arthrodesis, and technique.