Intramedullary Nail Fixation for the Treatment of Symptomatic Fibular Nonunion: A Case Series.

Abstract

Ankle fractures are a relatively common injury in the lower extremity. They can be treated with conservative management if they are nondisplaced and only involve the fibula. Nonunions at the fracture site, however, are a potential complicating factor during treatment. There is growing literature supporting the use of intramedullary fixation for fracture care. Not only does it have the advantages of using smaller incisions to preserve periosteum while providing improved biomechanical outcomes, but intramedullary reaming can help stimulate cells to promote bone healing. Few articles discuss the use and success of intramedullary reaming in revision surgery of the distal fibula. We present 3 cases of computed tomography-confirmed fibular nonunion following conservative fracture care, which underwent revision surgery with fibular nail fixation technique. These cases illustrate clinical and image findings as well as highlight the surgical technique used for each patient. At follow-up, all patients were asymptomatic and radiographs confirmed healing of the previous nonunion site. These cases are examples of successful revision for fibular fracture nonunion using intramedullary nail fixation.Level of Evidence: Level IV: Case series.