Ankle arthrodesis is a method that provides relief from pain and enhances the functional capability of patients suffered from ankle arthritis. The question here is which type of ankle arthrodesis; Ilizarov external fixator stabilization or internal stabilization with screws provides better outcomes. This study explains the comparable efficacy of both methods using various scales.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the ankle joint is one of the major problems around the world. The study aimed to check whether sports and physical activity levels of a person influenced by the types of ankle joint arthrodesis stabilization using (1) the GRIMBY scale, (2) the LOWER LIMB Activity scale, (3) the VAS (visual analogue scale) ACTIVITY scale, (4) the UCLA activity scale, and (5) the FAAM (foot and ankle ability measure) SPORT scale.

A total of forty-seven patients who went through ankle arthrodesis either with Ilizarov external fixator stabilization (group 1) or internal stabilization with screws (group 2) between 2007 and 2015 at Orthopaedic Clinic at the Wroclaw Medical University, Poland were prospectively studied.

No significant differences were noticed on the GRIMBY and LOWER LIMB Activity scale pre- and post-operatively among both the groups. The UCLA activity scale, SPORT FAAM scale and VAS ACTIVITY scale mean scores were noticed to be higher among group one as compared to group two. 

Although both groups exhibited satisfactory levels of physical and sports activity, the group with Ilizarov fixation showed better outcomes. As per findings, the ankle fusion is an effective way to manage ankle arthritis.