The Current Role of Ankle Arthrodesis in Hemophilic Patients

There are several manners to take care of the hemophilic ankle in the initial phases of degeneration of the articular cartilage, in the event that hematologic prophylaxis is unsuccessful in accomplishing no bleeds. Some of these are nonoperative, with which management must start. These are Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine protocols and the utilization of orthoses (patellar tendon bearing). When these are unsuccessful, more aggressive types of treatment can be utilized, such as radiosynovectomy and some surgical operations (open or arthroscopic removal of anterior osteophyte of the distal part of the tibia, arthroscopic ankle debridement). Nonetheless, in the late phases of degeneration of the articular cartilage (advanced arthropathy), the solely options are surgical: ankle fusion or total ankle arthroplasty. The review of the literature has shown that the percentage of consolidation is between 90% and 100%, and that the percentage of postoperative infection is between 0% and 10%%. When the llizarov external fixator is utilized for ankle fusion, the percentage of pin tract infection is around 14%. Ankle fusion is a secure surgical technique that meliorates articular pain and improves the quality of life of hemophilic patients.