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Sport activity levels following ankle fusion

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Abstract

Purpose

Ankle arthrodesis (AA) is frequently employed in the treatment of end-stage ankle arthritis, which is common following trauma and athletic injuries. While AA remains a popular therapeutic option, little data exists about activity and sporting capacity following AA. The objective of this research was to determine functional outcomes and sporting activity levels in patients following Ankle Arthrodesis.

Methods

Validated questionnaires were emailed to 35 patients with a history of AA at an average follow-up of 52 months. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), as well as the associated FADI-Sport. Responses were compared to those from a control population of

Results

24 patients scheduled for AA, at an average pre-operative visit of three months. Activity levels were assessed prior to injury as well as pre- and post-operatively using the Tegner activity level scale. Average Tegner scores of the 35 surgical patients decreased from 3.82 ± 0.38 before their injury, to 1.15 ± 0.19 immediately pre-op, with recovery to 2.67 ± 0.26 following fusion. Average post arthrodesis FADI and FADI-sport scores in our patients were 76.5 ± 3.19% and 33.8 ± 23.06%. For the pre-operative control population, corresponding scores were 47.41 ± 2.61% and 22.24 ± 1.03%. Following AA, we found that patients improved upon their pre-op Tegner score, although they did not return to their pre-injury level of sporting participation. Additionally, patients reported that they had no current dysfunction with their lower leg.

Conclusion

Patients undergoing Ankle Arthrodesis should expect improved lower leg function, though will not likely return to their pre-injury level of activity.

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Availability of Data and material

All Authors had full access to all study data and take full responsibility for the accuracy of the data analysis. The data that supports the finding of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics, University of Toledo Medical Center, 3000 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH, 43614, USA

    Maged Hanna

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Emily A. Whicker

  3. Depatment of Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, 3400 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA

    Brian Traub

  4. Department of Radiology, Emory University, 1364 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Emad Allam

  5. Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University, 59 Executive Park South Suite 3000, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    Sameh A. Labib

Authors
  1. Maged Hanna
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  2. Emily A. Whicker
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  3. Brian Traub
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  4. Emad Allam
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  5. Sameh A. Labib
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Contributions

Study conception and design: Authors A, B, C,E

Data Collection: Authors: B, C

Analysis and interpretation: Authors: A, B, C, D, E

Draft and manuscript: A, B, C,E

All Authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the Manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Maged Hanna.

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Level of Evidence: III, Retrospective Case Control- Prognostic Study

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Hanna, M., Whicker, E.A., Traub, B. et al. Sport activity levels following ankle fusion. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 45, 2347–2354 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-021-05100-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-021-05100-7

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