A REVIEW OF ANKLE ARTHRODESIS - PREDISPOSING FACTORS TO NONUNION

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.