Treatment of posterior malleolar fractures by means of limited open reduction, poking reduction and QWIX cannulated screw internal fixation

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of limited open reduction, poking reduction and QWIX cannulated screw internal fixation in treatment of posterior malleolar fracture. Methods A total of 14 patients with posterior malleolar fracture were treated by limited open reduction, poking reduction and QWIX cannulated screw internal fixation. Injury causes included traffic accidents in five patients, fall from height injury in four and inversion sprain in five. According to fracture type classification methods of Weber and Danis, there were two patients with type A3, seven with type B3 and five with type C3. Func-tional exercise was carried out based on postoperative exercise plan. Regular follow-up was performed to e-valuate the functional recovery of the ankle joint. Results All patients were followed up for 6-18 months (average 9.5 months). One patient with sural nerve injury returned to normal after six months. Twelve pa-tients showed excellent range of motion of the ankle joint and normal gait three months after operation. In 12 patients, dorsiflexion of the ankle joint was > 20° and plantar flexion > 40° six months after operation, which was approximately similar to contralateral normal ankle joint. The ankle joint function of all patients returned to normal six months after operation. According to Baird-Jackson ankle joint function evaluation, the result was excellent in 12 patients, good in one and fair in one, with excellence rate of 93%. Con-clusion The limited open reduction, poking reduction and internal fixation of QWIX caunulated screw are effective method for treatment of posterior malleolar fractures. Key words: Hind limb; Ankle injuries; Fracture fixation, internal