ObjectiveTo explore the feasibility and short-term effectiveness of ankle arthrodesis by ankle osteotomy-tool. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the data of 38 patients with end-stage ankle arthritis undergoing ankle arthrodesis between February 2009 and March 2012. There were 24 males and 14 females, with an average age of 67 years (range, 40-85 years). The left ankle was involved in 18 cases and the right ankle in 20 cases. There were 20 cases of post-traumatic arthritis, 7 cases of avascular necrosis of talus, 5 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 5 cases of primary osteoarthritis, and 1 case of post infective arthritis. The disease duration ranged 3.2-6.1 years (mean, 4.7 years). The ankle osteotomy-tool was used to remove the joint surfaces, and proximal humeral locking plate combined with compression screws were used for internal fixation. ResultsThe operation time was 40-90 minutes (mean, 60 minutes). The healing of incisions by first intention was obtained in the other cases except 1 case of superficial infection, which was cured after dressing change. Thirty-eight patients were followed up 10 to 36 months (mean, 23 months). The ankles in 4 patients started to swell repeatedly when they walked early after operation and the swelling subsided at 1 year after rehabilitation therapy. The X-ray films showed that bone fusion was obtained at 12 weeks after operation on average (range, 10-19 weeks). No internal fixation failure or malunion occurred. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was improved significantly from 43.11±17.49 at preoperation to 85.03±13.17 at last follow-up (t=14.412, P=0.000). The short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36) showed that physical component summary score was increased significantly from preoperative 54.30±12.32 to postoperative 77.95±8.21 (t=7.723, P=0.000), and mental component summary score was significantly increased from preoperative 63.16±8.30 to postoperative 77.05±10.12 (t=2.523, P=0.021). According to the patients' satisfaction, 32 patients were very satisfied, 5 patients were satisfied, and 1 patient was not satisfied. The subjective satisfaction of patients was 97.37%. ConclusionAnkle arthrodesis by lateral malleolus osteotomy with ankle osteotomy-tool and internal fixation using proximal humeral locking plate and compression screws has the advantages of simple operation, less complications, rigid fixation, and high fusion rate. It may obtain a good short-term effectiveness.