Abstract
Charnley compression arthrodesis was carried out in 19 patients because of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, pyogenic arthritis and tuberculos arthritis of 11 knees and eight ankles. Charnley clamp was kept for an average of eight weeks and plaster cast was used for additinal three or four weeks in 16 patients in whom solid fusion were seen. Another three patients had delayed union and received radical debridement, bone graft and/or muscle flap operation. 27 weeks later, complete union was obtained.
Pyogenic or tuberculos arthritis were in 11 patients. One-stage arthrodesis was carreid out in six patients and two-stage procedure in five and re-operation such as radical debridement was performed in two and one, respectively. In one case of failed total knee replacement by infection, time to complete fusion was 14 weeks.
We concluded that Charnley compression arthrodesis is the most reliable for arthrodesis of the knee ane ankle, and is useful as a salvage procedure after failed total knee replacement.
