Summary
The influence of the position of the ankle joint on the gait pattern was examined in 12 patients. All had stable unilateral tibio-talar arthrodesis for posttraumatic osteoarthrosis. Six were fused in 8 to 12° of plantar flexion, six in neutral or calcaneus position. A total of 48 steps with and without shoes was analyzed and compared statistically with 24 steps on the normal side. After arthrodesis in equinus position, lower leg and knee take up an unfavourable position before heel-off, with the result that the center of gravity is elevated more than normal. This is particularly the case barefoot but is also observed when shoes are worn. On the basis of gait evaluation, ankle joint arthrodesis should be performed in the neutral position for both men and women.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson R (1945) Concentric arthrodesis of the ankle joint. J Bone Jt Surg 27:37–48
Bartek U (1973) Welche Stellung soll dem Full bei Arthrodeen der Fußgelenke gegeben werden? Z Orthop 111:443–444
Baumann JU, Hänggi A (1977) A method of gait analysis for daily orthopaedic practice. J Med Engeneering Technol 1:86–91
Baumann JU (1973) Cinéphotographische und elektromyographische Ganguntersuchungen. Habilitationsschrift, Basel
Becker F, Kastner VL (1965) Über Fußarthrodesen. Arch Orthop Unfall Chir 58:224–229
Brüngger A (1979) Eine Methode der optischen Ganganalyse. Dissertation, Universität Basel
Charnley J (1951) Compression arthrodesis of the ankle and shoulder. J Bone Jt Surg 33-B:180–191
Crawford Adams J (1948) Arthrodesis of the ankle joint. J Bone Jt Surg 30-B:506–511
Gallie WE (1948) Arthrodesis of the ankle joint. J Bone Jt Surg 30-B:619–621
Hohmann D, Eckhoff PU (1973) Kompensationsbewegungen des Tarsus bei Versteifung des Talokruralgelenks. Z Orthop 111:444–446
Jansen K (1962) Arthrodesis of the ankle joint. Acta Orthop Scand 32:476–484
Kennedy JC (1960) Arthrodesis of the ankle with particular reference to the Gallie procedure. J Bone Jt Surg 42-A:1308–1316
Müller ME, Allgöwer M, Willenegger H (1965) Technique of internal fixation of fractures. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 286–287
Ratliff AHC (1959) Compression arthrodesis of the ankle. J Bone Jt Surg 41-B:524–534
Sammarco GJ, Burstein AH, Frankel VH (1973) Biomechanics of the ankle: a kinematic study. Orthop Clin Am 4-1:75–96
Saunders JBM, Inman VT, Eberhart HD (1953) The major determinants in normal and pathological gait. J Bone Jt Surg 35-A:543–558
Simon SR, Mann RA, Hagy JL, Larsen LJ (1978) Role of the posterior calf muscles in normal gait. J Bone Jt Surg 60-A:465–472
Sutherland DH (1966) An elektromyographic study of the plantar flexors of the ankle in normal walking on the level. J Bone Jt Surg 48-A:66–71
Sutherland DH, Hagy JL (1972) Measurement of gait movements from motion picture film. J Bone Jt Surg 54-A:787–797
Thom H (1973) Spätergebnisse nach 81 Arthrodesen des oberen Sprunggelenkes. Z Orthop 111:446–452
Verhelst MP, Mulier JC, Hoogmartens MJ, Spaas F (1976) Arthrodesis of the ankle joint with complete removal of the distal part of the fibula. Clin Orthop 118:93–99
Wright DG, Desai SM, Henderson WH (1964) Action of the subtalar and ankle joint complex during the stance phase of walking. J Bone Jt Surg 46-A:361–382
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Work supported by Swiss National Research Fund, Credit No. 3.984.78
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hefti, F.L., Baumann, J.U. & Morscher, E.W. Ankle joint fusion — Determination of optimal position by gait analysis. Arch. Orth. Traum. Surg. 96, 187–195 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00457782
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00457782