Current Advancements in Ankle Arthrodiastasis.

Ankle arthrodiastasis offers an option for patients with end-stage primary or posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis. The process allows for a joint salvage procedure as an alternative to arthrodesis or ankle implant arthroplasty. The distraction within the joint optimizes the intraarticular environment to permit equilibration of hydrostatic pressure, promoting subchondral morphoangiogenesis, and decreases subchondral sclerosis, thereby mitigating pain.