# Minimally Invasive Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis with Blocked Retrograde Intramedullary Nail – Report of Three Cases

## TL;DR

This paper reports successful minimally invasive ankle fusion surgery in three patients, showing improved function and quick recovery.

## Contribution

The study presents a minimally invasive technique for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using a blocked retrograde intramedullary nail.

## Key findings

- Patients had short hospital stays and were allowed immediate weight-bearing with orthotics.
- Postoperative AOFAS AHS scores improved significantly, from 27-39 to 68-86 points.
- One patient experienced temporary postoperative pain, resolved with analgesics.

## Abstract

Ankle osteoarthritis (AOA) is associated with pain and variable functional limitation, demanding clinical treatment and possible surgical indication when conservative measures are ineffective – arthrodesis has been the procedure of choice, because it reduces pain, restores joint alignment and makes the segment stable, preserving gait. The present study reports 3 cases (3 ankles) of male patients between 49 and 63 years old, with secondary AOA, preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS AHS) of 27 to 39 points, treated by minimally invasive tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using blocked retrograde intramedullary nail. Hospital stay was of 1 day, and the patients were authorized for immediate loading with removable ambulation orthotics, as tolerated. The physical therapy treatment, introduced since hospitalization, was maintained, prioritizing gait training, strength gain, and proprioception. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed at weeks 1, 2, 6, 12 and 24. After evidence of consolidation (between the 6
th
and 10
th
weeks), the orthotics were removed. One patient complained of pain in the immediate postoperative period and, at the end of the 1
st
year, only one patient presented pain during rehabilitation, which was completely resolved with analgesics. Currently, the patients do not present complaints, returning to activities without restrictions – one of them, to the practice of soccer and rappelling. The postoperative AOFAS AHS was from 68 to 86 points.

A osteoartrite do tornozelo (OAT) está associada a quadro álgico e limitação funcional variável, demandando tratamento clínico e eventual indicação cirúrgica quando as medidas conservadoras são inefetivas – a artrodese tem sido o procedimento de escolha, por reduzir a dor, restaurar o alinhamento articular e tornar o segmento estável, preservando a marcha. O presente estudo relata 3 casos (3 tornozelos) de pacientes do sexo masculino, com entre 49 e 63 anos de idade, portadores de OAT secundária, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS AHS, na sigla em inglês) pré-operatória de 27 a 39 pontos, tratados mediante artrodese tibiotalocalcaneana minimamente invasiva utilizando haste intramedular retrógrada bloqueada. A permanência hospitalar foi de 1 dia, e os pacientes foram autorizados para carga imediata com órteses removíveis para deambulação, conforme tolerado. O tratamento fisioterápico, introduzido desde o internamento, foi mantido, priorizando-se treino de marcha, ganho de força e propriocepção. Foi realizado acompanhamento clínico e radiográfico nas semanas 1, 2, 6, 12 e 24. Após evidências de consolidação (entre a 6ª e a 10ª semanas), as órteses foram retiradas. Um paciente queixou-se de dor no pós-operatório imediato e, ao final do 1° ano, apenas 1 paciente apresentou dor durante a reabilitação, resolvida completamente com analgésicos. Atualmente, os pacientes não apresentam queixas, retornando às atividades sem restrições – um deles, à prática de futebol e rapel. A AOFAS AHS pós-operatória foi de 68 a 86 pontos.