Twenty-six patients had an arthrodesis of the knee using a single
anterior, broad, contoured dynamic-compression plate and screws that were
applied as a tension band. Bone grafts were not used. No external
immobilization was required, and immediate partial weight-bearing was
encouraged. The minimum follow-up period was two years, and solid osseous
union occurred in each patient. When last seen, all patients were free of
pain and could walk without external support. The desired alignment was
achieved in each patient, and no complications that were related to this
method occurred. Tension-band plating, in our opinion, represents the best
method of arthrodesis of the knee that is currently available.