To study the effect of tibiotalar arthrodesis with tibial sliding graft.

The data of patients who underwent tibiotalar arthrodesis in the orthopedics department of the Third People’s Hospital of Huangdao District from January 2015 to December 2018 were analyzed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Mazur score were used to evaluate the pain and functional improvement after ankle arthrodesis; and to study the incidence of tibiotalar fusion and complications, the Wilcoxon signed rank test of paired samples was used for comparison.

According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 11 subjects were included. The preoperative VAS score was 5-8 and was 1-3 in 18 months after the operation, which showed significant improvement in postoperative pain (Z=-2.684, P<0.05). The Mazur score was 21-77 preoperatively while 69-86 in 18 months postoperatively, which was significantly improved (Z=-2.666, P<0.05). After 12 months of the operation, the tibiotalar joints of all the patients were fused successfully, and no infection was found during the follow-up period. A 59-year-old patient with end-stage osteoarthritis developed superficial sensation of the lateral dorsal skin after surgery.

The use of tibial sliding graft for tibiotalar arthrodesis can significantly improve the pain and function of the ankle joint, with fewer complications and high fusion rate.