Arthrodiastasis is a simple and cost-effective method of treatment in ankle and knee arthrosis. Though in my opinion it is underestimated and rarely used among my collegues. I wonder how popular is this method in your hospital/country? What is your experience with this method?
In the past we used hip distraction under anesthesia for hip osteoarthrosis. We had some temporary improvement of pain syndrome, but overall the lasting results were disappointing.It is not done anymore in my institution. We never used distraction (diastasis) in the ankle and knee joints for fear of injury to the stabilizing structures.
@Panayot Tanchev. Thank you for your answer. Maybe you know anyone in Bulgaria who uses this method?
I do not believe any colleagues in Bulgaria use the arthrodiastasis.
It might be good option in certain cases but absence of protocol directing its use for how much period is not well established. Furthermore, pin tract issues complicate the follow up.
In the USA there isn't any good long term data to support it. Some have had OK results but they have not been reproducible.