Open AccessUse of the SIGN IM nail system to stabilize tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis in two African hospital settings
Author(s) -
Sydney E. Burke,
Isaac K. Wangai,
Geoffrey K. Koech,
Jeremiah D. Galat,
Daniel D. Galat,
Douglas W. Lundy
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
ota international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2574-2167
DOI - 10.1097/oi9.0000000000000088
Subject(s) - medicine , arthrodesis , surgery , nail (fastener) , ankle , radiography , materials science , alternative medicine , pathology , metallurgy
Objectives: To determine the effectiveness and describe the technique of using the Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) nail to augment tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis in the developing world. Design: Retrospective review of the SIGN database and description of surgical technique. Setting: Two centers in rural Kenya, East Africa. Patients: Fifty-seven patients with ankle/hindfoot arthritis or severe trauma. We were able to follow 17 through complete arthrodesis. Invention: TTC arthrodesis stabilized with SIGN nail. Main outcome measure: Radiographic arthrodesis and return to function. Result: Of the patients with significant follow-up, arthrodesis occurred in an average of 19.3 ± 7.5 weeks from the date of surgery. Conclusions: Recognizing the obstacles to follow-up, the SIGN nail placed with the Herzog curve apex posterior is shown to be an effective device to stabilize a TTC arthrodesis in a limited subgroup of patients with full follow-up.