June 22, 2023 – Dr. Ettore Vulcano, Chief of Orthopedic Surgery and Director, Foot and Ankle Surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center is once again at the forefront of foot and ankle care. Last week, Dr. Vulcano was a lead author on a published paper on one of the journals of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. The paper outlined a real life study of a minimally invasive approach to ankle fusions.
The study showed a positive outcome for a fully percutaneous ankle fusion.
Ankle fusions are usually done through a very large incision, (up to 6 inches), and are occasionally done arthroscopically, which can be time consuming and prolong surgery time, and therefore time under anesthesia—this is dangerous for certain patient populations.
Dr. Vulcano utilizes a percutaneous “keyhole” approach, where a 2-millimeter incision is made, and through that incision, the ankle is prepared and then fused.
The entire procedure takes roughly half the time of traditional techniques, reducing the risk of postoperative complications like infection and nerve damage. It is also associated with less pain and higher odds of bone healing.
Traditional techniques present a 10% chance of failure—with this procedure, that percentage shoots down to 3%.
The most common cause of ankle arthritis is previous ankle injury. In people who have sustained an injury such as an ankle fracture, the cartilage may be damaged and this could lead to accelerated arthritis. Another cause of ankle arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. Other conditions that might require an ankle fusion are foot drop, ankle deformities, and severe ankle fractures.
You may need an ankle fusion if you have severe arthritis in your ankle, which can cause symptoms such as severe pain, inflammation, stiffness and limited range of motion.
Dr. Vulcano is the first – and possibly the only – orthopedic surgeon in the country performing this particular technique.
To schedule a time to speak with Dr. Vulcano or to a 50-year old, female patient who recently underwent the procedure, please contact erica.corsano@msmc.com.
