Arthroscopic ankle fusion - Ankle is redraped
Following the arthroscopic preparation the ankle is redraped. Before the arthroscopic set up is removed (but with the traction released) one should ensure that the ankle is placeable into a neutral position for the arthroscopic fusion. That is to say the foot should sit squarely beneath the tibia in the AP plane and perpendicular to the long axis of the tibia in the saggital plane. A padded sterile bowl (1) is placed beneath the lower calf and a sandbag is placed beneath the ipsilateral buttock to correct the natural tendency of most limbs to external rotation. This makes correct radiological alingment of screws easier.