Distal tibia bone graft for arthrodesis of the foot and ankle.

Forty patients since 1988 have had distal tibial bone grafting for 41 arthrodeses of the foot and ankle. Bone graft is obtained through a cortical window made just above the medial metaphyseal distal tibial flare. Average follow-up was 23.3 months. Forty of 41 arthrodesis sites fused; there was only one nonunion. There were no delayed unions. There were no complications at the donor site based on patient examination and radiographs. Ipsilateral ankle motion was not affected by the bone graft procedure. Cited complications from iliac crest bone graft include donor site pain, blood loss, heterotopic bone formation, pelvic instability, iliac hernia, infection, fracture, and deformity. Complications with allografts include disease transmission and immune response. These are avoided by using locally obtained distal tibia autograft for arthrodeses in the foot and ankle.