Ankle Arthritis: Open Ankle Joint Fusion With a Plate and Screws Animation

Ankle Arthritis: Open Ankle Joint Fusion With a Plate and Screws Animation

This animation shows a surgical fusion of a right ankle joint, using a standard size plate and screws for the treatment of ankle arthritis. Once the skin incision is made and the surgeon separates the tissues to get down to the ankle joint, the first step is to remove all the remaining cartilage from the joint surfaces. If there is any cartilage left between the tibia and talus, the bones may not completely heal together.

Once the cartilage is removed, the surgeon may choose to use one single screw at first to hold the bones together. This is an option and may not be done in all cases. A plate is then placed over the front of the ankle joint in position, and 2 small pins with a ball head are used to temporarily hold the plate in place. The first several screws are inserted through the plate into the talus bone, with a drill hole created before each screw is placed.

Next, screws are inserted through the plate into the tibia or shin bone. The first screw in the shin bone is put through this oval hole in the plate toward the top end of the hole. When the screw is tightened, the plate slides up. Since the plate is already attached to the talus bone, this compresses the two bones together, giving the bones a better chance to heal. This next screw goes directly through the joint, squeezing the bones together a little bit more.

The last few screws are put through the plate in to the shin bone to fully secure the plate and hold the bones together so they do not move. Keeping the bones completely still and compressed give the fusion the best chance to fully heal. The surgery is now complete.