Foot & ankle international
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Comparative Study
Biomechanical comparison of blade plate and intramedullary nail fixation for tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis.
Tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis is an uncommon salvage procedure used for complex problems of the ankle and hindfoot. A biomechanical evaluation of the fixation constructs of this procedure has not been studied previously. The purpose of this study was to compare intramedullary nail to blade plate fixation in a deformity model in fatigue endurance testing and load to failure. ⋯ The ankle arthrodesis intramedullary nail provides greater stiffness for fixation in tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis, which may improve healing.