Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis has its advantages
The treatment of ankle arthritis continues to evolve. Ankle arthrodesis remains a popular choice among patients and surgeons, despite the increased utilization and improved results recently reported with ankle replacement and distraction arthroplasty. A successful ankle arthrodesis that achieves a bony union in good position is often a permanent solution for ankle pain.

Technically, ankle fusion surgery consists of the following three steps that must be performed effectively to achieve good results: joint preparation, positioning, and compression and fixation. Joint preparation is critical and involves removal of articular cartilage and penetration of the subchondral bone of the joint to expose healthy cancellous bone (Fig. 1). The joint must then be positioned appropriately, and coronal and axial deformities should be corrected. After appropriate positioning has been achieved, the joint is compressed with orthopaedic implants.

As the tools available have evolved, arthroscopic preparation of the joint surface has become increasingly popular. Termed "arthroscopic ankle fusion," the procedure entails the use of arthroscopic shavers and burrs to remove the joint surfaces, and drills, picks, curettes, and chisels to perforate the subchondral bone. In this minimally invasive procedure, fixation and compression are usually achieved percutaneously with cannulated screws (Figs. 2 and 3).

The arthroscopic technique was first described in 1983 during the annual meeting of the Arthroscopy Association of North America in New Orleans. Surgeons who favor the arthroscopic technique cite advantages such as less blood loss, smaller incisions, and a lower infection rate. The overall maintenance of the soft-tissue envelope also should be considered as an advantage of the arthroscopic approach, particularly when the possibility of future conversion to arthroplasty exists. The arthroscopic approach may also be useful in cases of soft-tissue compromise or less than ideal protoplasm, such as in elderly patients and in patients with inflammatory arthritis, peripheral vascular disease, venous stasis, smoking history, or diabetes.

What the literature shows
A multicenter comparative case series found that arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis patients had shorter hospital stays and improved outcome scores at 1 and 2 years when compared to patients who underwent open arthrodesis. Similarly, a retrospective review of open and arthroscopic ankle fusions found a significantly decreased time to union and complication rate in the arthroscopic group. Yet another study reported diminished time of stay and accelerated time to bony union for patients who underwent arthroscopic rather than open arthrodesis.

The most recent systematic review comparing open and arthroscopic approaches concludes that the arthroscopic approach is associated with fewer complications, shorter hospital stays, diminished blood loss, and better outcome scores. Nevertheless, open ankle arthrodesis is more commonly performed.

Cost differences between the two approaches are worth noting. A 2010 retrospective cost analysis comparing outpatient arthroscopic procedures with inpatient open procedures found that arthroscopic procedures resulted in significantly lower total site charges and lower expenses for third-party payers.

Despite these advantages, the arthroscopic approach does have contraindications. A relative contraindication to arthroscopic surgery is large bone defects, such as significant (> 15 degrees) deformities and large osteophytes. In these situations, the open approach may offer improved visualization and access to the joint, permitting the surgeon to correct these larger deformities. Unsuccessful arthroscopic fusion has also been reported in patients with osteonecrosis of the talus.

Moreover, arthroscopic procedures may require longer surgical times, and the procedures themselves demand a significant learning curve on the part of the operating surgeon.

Answers to your questions
The following set of questions and answers is intended to provide instruction to the orthopaedic surgeon considering performing ankle fusion arthroscopically, but who is also looking for further guidance as to the indications for the arthroscopic approach and best intraoperative practices for ensuring a well-executed procedure.

Mr. Emmons: Who is the ideal candidate for an arthroscopic procedure versus an open approach?

Dr. Carreira: At our institution, the ideal candidate for an arthroscopic procedure is a younger patient (< 50 years old) in whom we can expect good compliance with postoperative weight bearing. The arthroscopic approach preserves malleolar anatomy and leads to minimal scarring of the soft tissue envelope, which makes the patient a better candidate for conversion to ankle replacement in the future, if that proves necessary. The technical execution of arthroscopic arthrodesis is facilitated by a patient with minimal deformity, preserved ankle motion, and small or absent anterior osteophytes.

Mr. Emmons: What are the indications for proceeding with an open procedure versus using the arthroscopic technique?

Dr. Carreira: Open procedures allow for more predictable deformity correction.

With the arthroscopic technique, 10 degrees of varus or valgus deformity is correctible, but the degree of correction is highly dependent on the surgeon's skill and experience. The open technique may also be better if the patient has anterior tibial bone loss or anterior talar extrusion that requires significant posterior bone resection.

The open approach may also be an option if more substantial implants, such as an ankle fusion plate, are used, which affords greater biomechanical stability. If poor compliance with post­operative therapy is anticipated, an open approach with plate and screws may be preferable to the arthroscopic technique, which often involves the use of lag screws alone for fixation.

Mr. Emmons: What keys to success can be offered for surgeons new to the arthroscopic technique?

Dr. Carreira: Proper set-up is critical for a successful procedure. I use mechanical distraction, which aids in joint surface preparation.

Using a dedicated outflow cannula helps with the removal of osteophytes, by providing adequate outflow and preventing cartilage and subchondral bone from clouding the arthroscopic field. A tourniquet should be used to prevent bleeding, which can also make visualization difficult. Proceeding by way of a systematic approach in which synovectomy and excision of anterior osteophytes precedes removal of articular cartilage and subchondral bone enables the procedure to progress in a controlled fashion. It also allows for maintenance of an anatomic perspective, which, in turn, helps in correcting deformity.

Mr. Emmons: Is any special equipment required for joint preparation and/or fixation?

Dr. Carreira: I prefer using larger arthroscopic cameras, burrs, and shavers (> 4.0 mm) because they allow for higher flow rates and more efficient removal of the osteophytes and joint surfaces. A hooded burr may be useful if the burr catches on the opposite surface when preparing the joint. Powered chisels, osteotomes, and gouges may be useful adjuncts in hard bone, and hand tools will enable perforation and fracture of the subchondral bone plate into the deeper cancellous bone. Fluoroscopy is necessary to verify position of the fusion and to facilitate placement of the cannulated screws. An ankle distraction system is necessary for adequate joint visualization.

Dominic Carreira, MD, is a foot and ankle specialist at Peachtree Orthopedics, Atlanta. He is also founder and president of the Multicenter Arthroscopy Study of the Ankle and Foot Study Group.
Brendan Emmons, BS, is a student and research coordinator at Peachtree Orthopedics, Atlanta.

References

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