Infected Nonunion Ankle Case

Presenting

This x-ray and photograph show a 34 year old man 6 months after injury with an infected nonunion near the ankle joint. He had been initially treated at an outside facility by other physicians with external fixation before referral to our office. The bone could be seen through a defect in the skin and drainage was present from the wound seen in the photograph.

Treatment in Progress

This series of x-rays taken over several weeks shows the transport, or movement, of a segment of the tibia from near the knee toward the ankle. New bone forms behind the bone as it moves downward; the hazy area that can be seen in the upper tibia in the final two images is the new bone tissue solidifying.

Result After Treatment by Dr. Brinker

These final x-rays after 9 months of treatment show the solidly healed tibia, with new bone tissue in the upper tibia and restoration of the ankle joint orientation in the lower tibia.

Presenting

This x-ray and photograph show a 46 year old man 13 months after injury with an infected nonunion near the ankle joint. He had been initially treated at an outside facility by other physicians with plates, screws, and pins before referral to our office. He had an open, draining wound over the ankle, and most of the bone at the distal tibia was grossly infected. He was unable to bear weight or walk, had debilitating pain, and had been unable to work for nearly a year.

Treatment in Progress

This series of x-rays taken over several weeks shows the progression of the Ilizarov transport, or movement, of two segments from near the knee toward the ankle. The hazy area that can be seen in the upper tibia in the final image is the new bone tissue solidifying.

Result After Treatment by Dr. Brinker

These x-rays show the solidly healed tibia, with new bone tissue in the upper tibia. The patient has occasional mild pain, but is able to walk without assistance and has returned to work.