MRI evaluation of ankle distraction: a preliminary report.

Ankle joint distraction has been shown to be a viable alternative to ankle arthrodesis or ankle replacement. The authors' approach to ankle joint preservation includes articulated ankle joint distraction, resection of blocking osteophytes, release of muscle and joint contractures, and realignment osseous ankle procedures. In a previous study that used this technique, 78% of patients maintained their ankle range of motion and had none to occasional moderate pain that could be managed generally with nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs alone. The rationale as to why joint distraction is successful is largely unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate pre- and postoperative ankle MRI scans of patients who underwent hinged ankle joint distraction with external fixation.