Application and clinical results of the adjustable erternal fixation of ankle joint in orthopedic surgery

[Objective]To study the application and clinical results of the adjustable erternal fixation of ankle joint(AEFA) in orthopedic surgery.[Method]From January 1999 to May 2005,45 cases(55 feet)of equinovarus deformity were treated with orthopedic surgery.In order to preventent the deformity relapsion,the patients were assigned to two groups.The A group(26 cases,32 feet)patients were treated with the adjustable erternal fixation of ankle joint(AEFA).The B group(19 cases,23 feet)patients were treated with plaster immobilization.The orthopedic surgery effect and functions of ankle joint were studied and tested with independent sample t test and x~2 test.[Result]Thirty-eight cases were fellowed-up for 3 months to 9 years(averaged 19 months).There were significant difference between the two groups in the functions of ankle joint.[Conclusion]The new apparatus can effectively prevent the foot-drop deformity and enhance the function of ankle joint.