The Use of a Femoral Distractor to Aid Distal Tibial Resection During Total Ankle Arthroplasty

published online 03 July 2009.

Abstract

Distal tibial resection during total ankle arthroplasty can be time consuming and presents a technical challenge. We recommend the use of a femoral distractor to assist with this specific part of the operation. We describe the technique below and have now adopted it as a commonplace stage in our ankle replacements.

Keywords: ankle, arthroplasty, distal tibia, femoral distractor

1 Specialist Registrar Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, United Kingdom

2 Specialist Registrar Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, United Kingdom

3 Consultant, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, United Kingdom

4 Consultant, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: Simon Thompson, MBBS, BSc(Hons), MSc, MRCS, SpR, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Rd, Guildford, United Kingdom.

Financial Disclosure: None reported.

Conflict of Interest: None reported.

PII: S1067-2516(09)00246-4

doi:10.1053/j.jfas.2009.06.002

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