| 摘要 |
A surgical rod-and-screw kit is disclosed, for use in ankle arthrodesis in patients who suffer from severe bone defects in their ankles. This assembly has a vertical intramedullary rod that is inserted through the bottom of the calcaneum (i.e., the heel bone), and driven upward into the tibia (the shin bone). The assembly also has a threaded pin, referred to herein as an oblique screw, which is positioned at an acute angle with respect to the vertical rod. This oblique screw is inserted through the lower rear surface of the calcaneum, and passes through a slanted hole in the vertical rod. The screw has external threads in the tip region, and this threaded tip enters the lower end of the tibial bone. When this screw is tightened, it compresses the lower end of the tibia bone against the talus and/or calcaneum, which improves the stability of the ankle fixation. This rod-and-screw assembly also reduces the risk and extent of bone damage that can be caused by motion of either or both components during years of use inside a damaged ankle with softened bones. An alignment jig is used during surgery, to help the surgeon align the holes that must be drilled through hard bone for the oblique screw and for fixation screws. |
