Antiglide Plate Research Articles

The Dorsal Antiglide Plate in the Treatment of Dank-Weber Type-B Fractures of the Distal Fibula

The results of 93 of 107 consecutive antiglide plate internal fixations of Danis-Weber Type-B fractures of the distal fibula are reported with a follow-up period of just over one year. Using the ankle evaluation scale of Weber, 66.7% excellent, 27.9% good, and only 5.4% poor results were found. The method of dorsal antiglide plate fixation is possible in most of the frequent Type-B ankle fractures. Stabilization is better with the antiglide plate, especially in older patients with osteoporotic bone. Because of these advantages and the biomechanically sound technique, the antiglide plate is recommended for stabilization of the Danis-Weber Type-B fracture of the distal fibula.

The antiglide plate for distal fibular fixation. A biomechanical comparison with fixation with a lateral plate.

The antiglide plate for distal fibular fixation. A biomechanical comparison with fixation with a lateral plate.

The antiglide plate for distal fibular fixation. A biomechanical comparison with fixation with a lateral plate.

Posterior antiglide plates recently have been introduced as a method of fixation for the short oblique fracture (Type B, as defined by the AO Group) of the distal part of the fibula. This method has several advantages over the more commonly used lateral plate for the fixation of this type of fracture, including dissection of a smaller area and less operative time, minimum bending of the plate, and no potential for penetration of a screw into the joint. The system can also be applied without insertion of a screw into the distal fragment. This prompted us to compare the biomechanical properties of fixation with the antiglide and lateral plating systems. Short oblique fractures of the distal part of the fibula were produced mechanically in cadaveric legs by supination and external rotation of the foot. The torque that was necessary to produce the fracture in each of twenty-four fibulae was recorded. After fracture, each fibula was reduced anatomically and fixed internally with a lateral plate or antiglide plate applied posteriorly. The strength of fixation was measured by restressing the legs until failure of fixation occurred. The stiffness of the fixation system and the amount of energy required to produce failure of fixation were also calculated. The system using the lateral plate for fixation failed when the torque reached an average of 64.3 per cent of the torque that produced the fracture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)