Fixation Of Unstable Ankle Fractures Research Articles

Percutaneous intramedullary screw or rush pin fixation of unstable ankle fractures in patients with fragile soft tissue – retrospective study of 80 cases

IntroductionThe standard surgical procedure for unstable ankle fractures is fixation of the lateral malleolus with a plate and screws. This method has a high risk of complications, especially among patients with fragile skin conditions. The aim of this study was to estimate the re-operation rates and identify complications in patients with an unstable ankle fracture, surgically treated with an intramedullary screw or rush pin.Materials and methodsWe identified all patients who were surgically treated with either a 3.5-mm screw or rush pin at Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, from 2012 to 2018. Major complications were re-operations within three months. We included 80 patients, of which 55 (69%) were treated with a 3.5-mm intramedullary screw and 25 (31%) with a rush pin. The majority of the study population was female (59) and the mean age was 75 (range 24 to 100) years. Of the 80 patients included, 41 patients had more than 2 comorbidities.ResultsThree patients underwent re-operation within three months due to either fracture displacement or hardware cutout. Radiographs obtained after six weeks showed that nine patients had loss of reduction. Additionally, four patients had superficial wound infections and six patients had delayed wound healing.ConclusionsIntramedullary fixation of distal fibula fractures with either a screw or rush pin has low re-operation rates. However, the high proportion of patients with radiological loss of reduction is concerning.

Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial Between Fibula Intramedullary Nail Fixation vs Open Reduction and Internal Fixation for the Surgical Management of Unstable Ankle Fractures

Category: Ankle; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: The fundamental concept of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of unstable ankle fractures was anatomical reduction and firm fixation that allow early mobilization and rehabilitation. On the other hand, ORIF of ankle fractures is associated with complications including wound dehiscence, necrosis and infection, prominent hardware and failure. Closed reduction and intramedullary fixation (CRIF) using fibula nail was emerged as additional surgical option for unstable ankle fractures especially in elderly and medical high-risk patients. We hypothesized that fibula nailing for unstable ankle fractures would have similar functional outcomes to standard ORIF. The purpose of this study is to perform a prospective randomized study to compare clinical outcomes, bone union, and postoperative complications between ORIF and CRIF using fibula nail. Methods: A total of 59 patients (32 men, 27 women) with the mean age of 50.2 years were prospectively randomized to undergo standard ORIF or fibular nailing for unstable ankle fractures: those who underwent ORIF (31 patients 14 men, 17 women) and those who underwent CRIF using fibula nail (29 patients; 18 men and 11women). Exclusion criteria of fracture characteristics were open fracture and highly comminuted fibula fractures. Functional scoring including VAS, AOFAS and FAOS were evaluated at minimum postoperative 2 years follow up. In addition, union period, reduction status of fracture and ankle mortise at postoperative CT scan, complications including wound problem and posttraumatic arthritis were evaluated. Results: The VAS, AOFAS, and all FAOS subscales were not significantly different between two group at 2 years postoperatively (all, p>0.05). Significantly fewer infections and wound complication occurred in the fibula nail group. (p < 0.05; ORIF group (12.9%), fibula nail group (0%)). Postoperative at fracture site of fibula was high in fibula nail group (p < 0.05; ORIF group (0%), fibula nail group (13.7%)), but there were no significant differences in the status of mortise and the rate of posttraumatic arthritis (all, p>0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that the fibula nail allows acceptable reduction and secure fixation of unstable ankle fracture, with low soft tissue complication rate than ORIF. Considering the property closed reduction, the fibula nail would be an excellent treatment option for patients with unstable ankle fractures when indications is well selected

Ankle Fractures in Diabetic Patients

Patients with diabetes are at higher risk for complications after surgical fixation of unstable fractures due to impaired neurovascular functioning and wound-healing capabilities. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes have higher rates of complications when compared with patients with controlled diabetes. Despite higher rates of complications, operative fixation of unstable ankle fractures in diabetic patients reliably leads to a functional lower extremity with an overall lower rate of complications than nonoperative management. Operatively and nonoperatively managed ankle fractures in patients with diabetes should remain non-weight-bearing for an extended period of time. Discussion of risk of poor outcomes including deep infection, loss of reduction, return to the operating room, and risk of arthrodesis or amputation should be explicitly discussed with patients and families when managing unstable ankle fractures in diabetic patients.

Weight-bearing Allowed Following Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures, a Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Postoperative management regimes vary following open reduction and internal fixation of unstable ankle fractures. Traditional postoperative nonweightbearing cast immobilization may prevent loss of fixation and protect the soft tissue envelope but may also be associated with poorer functional outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the complication rate and functional outcomes of early weightbearing (EWB) vs late weightbearing (LWB) following open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures. We performed a systematic review with a meta-analysis of controlled trials and comparative cohort studies using 3 databases. We included all studies that investigated the effect of weightbearing following internal fixation of ankle fractures in adult patients by any means. Studies that investigated mobilization but not weightbearing, non-English-language publications, and tibial Plafond fractures were excluded from this systematic review. We assessed the risk of bias using ROB 2 tools for randomized controlled trials and ROBINS-1 for cohort studies. Data extraction was performed using Covidence online software and meta-analysis by using RevMan 5.3. This systematic review included 10 randomized controlled trials and 4 comparative cohort studies. Most of the included studies were rated as having some concern with regard to the risk of bias. There was no significant difference in the complication rate between the protected EWB and LWB groups (the risk ratio [RR] for infection was 1.30, 95% CI 0.74, 2.30; I² = 0%; P = .36), but better functional outcome scores were detected in the EWB group only at 6 weeks postoperatively (MD =10.08, 95% CI 5.13, 15.02; I² = 0%; P ≤ .0001), with no significant difference seen at 6 or 12 months postoperatively. Based on the studies reviewed, it appears that early protected weightbearing following open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures does not affect surgical incision or fracture healing and is associated with better early functional outcomes at 6 weeks, but not 6 or 12 months, postoperatively.

The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the Olerud Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) in patients with unstable ankle fracture

IntroductionThe Olerud Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) is a widely used validated Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM). For clinical research, it is important to determine the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID). The objective of this study was to determine the MCID of the OMAS at several moments in the follow-up, in a cohort of patients that underwent open reduction and internal fixation of unstable ankle fractures with syndesmotic injury.Materials and methodsData for this descriptive study were extracted from a prospective randomized controlled trial, the RODEO trial. The Dutch version of the OMAS was completed at 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up and estimated at baseline. The used anchor-based methods were: mean change and ROC curve. The distribution-based methods were: 0.5SD and minimal detectable change (MDC).ResultsThis cohort included 148 patients. The mean OMAS score in the group with minimal improvement between 3 and 6 months was 15.0 (SD 17.5, 95%CI 9.4–20.6) and between 6 and 12 months 9.5 (SD 17.1, 95% CI 3.1–15.9). The ROC curve between 3 and 6 months resulted in a MCID of 12.5 (AUC 0.72) and between 6 and 12 months, the MCID was 7.5 (AUC 0.78). Using 0.5 SD, the MCID was 10.52 (SD 21.04) at 3 months, 11.37 (SD 22.73) at 6 months and 10.47 (SD 20.94) at 12 months. The MDC was 4.72 at 3 months, 5.20 at 6 months and 4.71 at 12 months.ConclusionsThe calculated MCID in patients following surgery for unstable ankle fractures ranges from 10.5 to 15.0 at 3–6-month follow-up and from 7.5 to 11.4 at 6–12-month follow-up, depending on moment and method.

Assessment of operative outcome of ankle fractures: A clinical study

Background: Ankle fractures are one of the most common fractures presenting in public hospitals. Most of the studies report the short term functional outcome post-ankle fracture surgery. Hence; the present study was undertaken for assessing operative outcome of ankle fractures. Materials and methods: A total of 40 patients operatively treated for an unstable ankle fracture were entered into a database and prospectively followed. The postoperative protocol was standardized for all patients. Complete demographic and clinical details of all the patients were obtained. Baseline characteristics, complications, additional surgery, functional status and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (AOFAS) were assessed. The intervention chosen was open reduction and internal fixation of unstable ankle fractures. Functional outcome was evaluated.Results: Level of pain decreased consistently over the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up periods in both study groups as measured by the AOFAS questionnaire. At 3 months, 6 months and 12 months follow-up, mean AOFAS score was 75.5, 80.3 and 85.3 respectively. Conclusion: Patients undergoing operative fixation of unstable ankle fractures showed reasonable functional result at the 1-year follow-up.

Fibula pro-tibia vs standard locking plate fixation in an ankle fracture saw bone model.

BACKGROUNDLocking plate fixation in osteoporotic ankle fractures may fail due to cut-out or metalwork failure. Fibula pro-tibia fixation was a technique prior to the advent of locking plates that was used to enhance stability in ankle fractures by achieving tri or tetra-cortical fixation. With locking plates, the strength of this fixation construct can be further enhanced. There is lack of evidence currently on the merits of tibia-pro-fibula augmented locking plate fixation of unstable ankle fractures.AIMTo assess if there is increased strength to failure, in an ankle fracture saw bone model, with a fibula pro-tibia construct when compared with standard locking plate fixation.METHODSTen osteoporotic saw bones with simulated supination external rotation injuries were used. Five saw bones were fixed with standard locking plates whilst the other 5 saw bones were fixed with locking plates in a fibula pro-tibia construct. The fibula pro-tibia construct involved fixation with 3 consecutive locking screws applied across 3 cortices proximally from the level of the syndesmosis. All fixations were tested in axial external rotation to failure on an electromagnetic test frame (MTS 858 Mini-Bionix test machine, MTS Corp, Eden Praire, MN, United States). Torque at 30 degrees external rotation, failure torque, and external rotation angle at failure were compared between both groups and statistically analyzed.RESULTSThe fibula pro-tibia construct demonstrated a statistically higher torque at 30 degrees external rotation (4.421 ± 0.796 N/m vs 1.451 ± 0.467 N/m; t-test P = 0.000), as well as maximum torque at failure (5.079 ± 0.694N/m vs 2.299 ± 0.931 N/m; t-test P = 0.001) compared to the standard locking plate construct. The fibula pro-tibia construct also had a lower external rotation angle at failure (54.7 ± 14.5 vs 67.7 ± 22.9).CONCLUSIONThe fibula pro-tibia locking plate construct demonstrates biomechanical superiority to standard locking plates in fixation of unstable ankle fractures in this saw bone model. There is merit in the use of this construct in patients with unstable osteoporotic ankle fractures as it may aid improved clinical outcomes.

Immediate Weight Bearing and Range of Motion After Internal Fixation of Unstable Ankle Fractures: A Retrospective Controlled Study

Category:Ankle; TraumaIntroduction/Purpose:Ankle fractures are the third most common adult fractures. Further, they are the second most common fracture type to require inpatient admission, behind only hip fractures, despite occurring in a population on average nearly 30 years younger. There is evidence that early or immediate weight bearing and range of motion may be safe following ankle fracture fixation, but existing studies are small and largely exclude patients with syndesmotic or posterior malleolar fixation. We therefore studied the safety of immediate weight bearing as tolerated (IWBAT) and immediate range of motion (IROM) following open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of unstable ankle fractures in a diverse cohort and attempted to identify risk factors for complications.Methods:We performed a retrospective case-control study. Out of 268 patients who underwent primary ORIF of an unstable ankle fracture from 2013-18, we identified 133 (49.6%) who were IWBAT and IROM. The treating surgeon excluded patients from IWBAT if they had an ipsilateral leg injury requiring non-weight bearing, a large displaced posterior malleolus fragment, or Maisonneuve injury with fracture of the proximal fibula. We used propensity-score matching to identify 172 controls who were non-weight bearing (NWB) and no range of motion for 6 weeks post-op. We reviewed medical records and radiographs for demographic, injury and treatment characteristics. Our primary outcome was complications. We compared demographics, injury characteristics, treatment episode, and complications between the IWBAT and NWB groups and performed within group analysis to identify risk factors for complications. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant.Results:The groups did not differ significantly in age, BMI, Charleston Comorbidity Index (CCI), smoking status, diabetes status, malleoli involved, percentages undergoing medial malleolus (60.9% IWBAT vs. 51.7% NWB, p=0.11), posterior malleolus (24.1% IWBAT, 26.7% NWB, p=0.59), or syndesmosis fixation (41.4% IWBAT, 42.4% NWB, p=0.85). There was no significant difference in total complications (9.8% IWBAT vs. 12.8% NWB, p=0.41), nonoperative complications (6.8% IWBAT vs. 8.7% NWB, p=0.53), or operative complications (3.8% IWBAT vs. 4.1% NWB, p=0.89). We did not identify any factors associated with increased complication risk, including posterior malleolus or syndesmosis fixation, diabetes, age, CCI or pre-injury assisted ambulation.Conclusion:IWBAT and IROM may be safe following ankle fracture ORIF in a broader patient population than previously believed. We did not identify specific risk factors for post-operative complications. Further study on patient selection may allow for more extensive use of this protocol to reduce the morbidity associated with unstable ankle fractures.

Effect of Early Weightbearing Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Unstable Ankle Fractures on Wound Complications or Failures of Fixation.

There is a growing trend toward early weightbearing as tolerated (WBAT) after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of ankle fractures. To date, studies have excluded fractures with associated syndesmotic injuries from their cohorts. In this retrospective cohort study, a chart review was performed at a single level 1 trauma center, identifying all unstable ankle fractures that underwent operative fixation between July 2016 and July 2017. After exclusion criteria, 63 patients were identified and 31 were included in the final analysis, with 14 undergoing syndesmotic fixation. WBAT was initiated after suture removal, between 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively. Outcomes included fracture union, radiographic maintenance of alignment, hardware failures, wound complications, and the need for repeat surgery. Weightbearing was initiated at an average of 17.8 days. All 31 patients progressed toward fracture union, with no hardware failures. Three patients developed superficial wound breakdown, which was treated with protected weightbearing in all cases and oral antibiotics in 1 case. All 3 went on to heal from their incisions. One patient had delayed wound breakdown and required a split-thickness skin graft that subsequently healed without complication. One patient underwent hardware removal 6 months postoperatively. There were no revision ORIF procedures. There is literature supporting early WBAT after ORIF of unstable ankle fractures in patients without major comorbidities. This article supports this trend, demonstrating that a group of ankle fractures requiring syndesmotic fixation were included in the early weightbearing cohort without a higher rate of catastrophic failure or increased wound problems. Level IV, retrospective cohort study.

Physiologic widening of the medial clear space: What's normal?

BackgroundLiterature has validated the use of stress radiographs for evaluation of ankle stability. However, to our knowledge no study has reported the amount of physiological widening that occurs with manual external rotation stress test in uninjured ankles. The purpose of this study was to assess the amount of medial clear space widening that occurs with a manual external rotation stress test in uninjured ankles. MethodsA cohort of adult patients undergoing operative fixation of unstable ankle fractures were prospectively enrolled to have their contralateral ankle undergo manual external rotation stress examination. Fluoroscopic images of the unaffected ankle were performed in the OR. A non-stressed mortise view and manual external rotation stress view were obtained with a standardized marker to correct for magnification differences. The images were de-identified, presented in a randomized order and reviewers who were blinded. Each reviewer measured the medial clear space. ResultsThirty fluoroscopic images on fifteen patients were obtained. The mean medial clear space on the non-stressed mortise view was 3.1 mm (SD-0.69; Range 1.9 to 4.2, 95% CI [2.75, 3.45]) versus a mean of 3.2 mm (SD-0.71; Range 2.0 to 4.7, 95% CI [2.94, 3.66]) in the stressed mortise view group. Inter-rater reliability was excellent between all observers for medial clear space (ICC-0.88; CI [0.78, 0.94]). ConclusionsOur results support the previous literature and allow us to advocate for ankle fractures with >5 mm medial clear space after external rotational stress to be considered unstable. Additionally, ankles with a medial clear space between 4 and 5 mm, instability should be considered only if lateral shift is > 2 mm on stress examination. Our data shows that no physiologically healthy ankles widened beyond these established cut-offs before or after the manual external rotation stress.

Return to Duty Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Unstable Ankle Fractures in the Active Duty Population.

Literature on functional outcomes after ankle surgery is for the most part limited to return to sport studies. The purpose of this study was to determine occupational and functional outcomes following operative treatment of unstable ankle fractures in the active duty military population. All ankle fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation at a single institution from 2013 to 2015 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included active duty personnel with a single-sided injury requiring operative management. All patients had a minimum of 6 months follow-up. Forty-seven records were reviewed with 43 patients fitting these criteria. Patients were predominantly male (91%) with an average age of 26 years at the time of fracture. Functional outcomes were evaluated using AOFAS and SANE scores. Occupational outcomes were determined in reference to a service member's ability to return to full duty. Of the 43 subjects, 81% (n = 35) returned to active duty. Of the eight individuals who did not return to active duty, six were medically boarded out of the military. Looking at demographic, surgical, and functional variables, only the SANE and AFAOS scores functional outcomes showed a significant correlation with individual return to duty. Individuals who reported less pain and increased functional outcomes had increased return to duty rates. This study sought to determine predictors for return to duty within an active duty military population after ORIF of unstable ankle fractures. Given the paucity of military literature on this subject, the end goal was to provide realistic recovery expectations for both injured service members and their command teams. Overall, 81% of patients were able to return to active duty following operative treatment of unstable ankle fractures. There were no associations found between age, gender, military rank, or fracture patterns and return to duty.

Ankle Fracture Fixation: Medial or Lateral First?

In unstable ankle fractures, the importance of reducing the lateral malleolus first to obtain an anatomic reduction of the talus is well established. Although this is a time-tested and common surgical approach, current surgical practice does not always follow the established dogma. Medial-first fixation may be a worthwhile alternative to lateral-first fixation in select instances. We performed a retrospective, cohort study in an urban level I trauma center to compare medial malleolus-first fixation of unstable ankle fractures with lateral malleolus-first fixation. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, and radiographic metrics including pre-, intra-, and final postoperative talocrural angles, medial clear space, and tibiofibular overlap were assessed. Complications were also reviewed. A total of 280 adult patients with operative bimalleolar ankle fractures from January 2010 to January 2015 met inclusion criteria. There were more open fractures (23.2% vs 9.4%, p = .01) and less isolated injuries in the medial-first group (59.2% vs 71.0%, p = .02). There were less isolated operative procedures (80.3% vs 89.1%, p = .04) and more intramedullary screw placement of the lateral malleolus (11.2% vs 4.3% p = .02) in the medial-first fixation group. There was also a strong trend in identifying more posterior tibial tendon injuries in the medial-first group compared with the lateral-first group (3.5% vs 0%, p = .06). There were no significant differences in fluoroscopy times or radiographic variables in the preoperative, intraoperative, or most recent postoperative images between either group. This approach demonstrates equivalent radiographic outcomes to lateral-first fixation and may be appropriate in select cases.

Ankle Fracture Complications in the Elderly

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: In the geriatric patient population, pre-existing medical conditions and poor bone quality often make operative fixation of unstable ankle fractures and fracture-dislocations more challenging. The objective of this study was to characterize the complications that occurred following operative fixation of these injuries at our institution and to determine whether complication rates were higher in our geriatric patient population (65 years and older) as compared to our younger patient population. We hypothesized that complication rates in the geriatric population would be significantly higher relative to complication rates in the younger population. We also hypothesized that in elderly patients, the soft tissue envelope would be less forgiving and require significantly more time for swelling to decrease to a level considered appropriate for definitive surgical fixation to occur. Methods: With IRB approval, a review of medical records for patients diagnosed with ankle fractures or fracture-dislocations and operated on between January of 2015 and December of 2016 was performed. Major complications were defined as any adverse outcomes requiring further surgical intervention such as irrigation and debridement for infection or exposed hardware, nonunion, major hardware failure, or amputation. Minor complications included other adverse outcomes which did not require further surgical intervention such as wound dehiscence, loss of reduction, or delayed union. Data were compared for statistically significant (p&lt;0.05) differences. Results: Medical record review produced 110 patients meeting criteria for inclusion with a mean follow-up of 179 days (range, 0 to 601 days). No significant (p&gt;0.08) differences were noted in rates of major, minor, or total complications between geriatric and younger patients treated at our institution (Fig. 1). An analysis of patient characteristics, demonstrated a significantly (p=0.035) higher proportion of trimalleolar ankle fractures within the geriatric population, but the proportions of other injury types were not significantly (p&gt;0.198) different between age groups. Prevalence of tobacco use, alcohol use, illicit drug use, or diabetes mellitus was not found to be significantly different (p&gt;0.058) between age groups. No significant (p=0.12) difference was found in time from injury to definitive surgical treatment between age groups. Conclusion: Complication rates following operative treatment of ankle fractures and fracture-dislocations were not significantly higher in our geriatric patient population, although the incidence of minor complications in the geriatric population was markedly increased relative to the younger population. A lack of significant difference in time from injury to definitive surgical treatment between age groups suggests that geriatric patients may not require a prolonged time for soft tissue swelling to decrease prior to surgery. Further study with a larger sample size is needed to determine if these findings are clinically significant.

Mid-term Prospective Follow-up of Ankle Fracture Fixation Using Patient Reported Outcome Measures

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a common procedure to stabilise unstable ankle fractures. Anatomical reduction and stable fixation is desirable to achieve good clinical and radiological outcome after this injury. This prospective study examines the correlation between mid-term patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and quality of fracture reduction of adult patients with ankle fractures treated with ORIF. Methods: A total of 100 patients with unstable ankle fracture who underwent ORIF were prospectively entered into the study between Nov 2013 to Oct 2014. Exclusion criteria were: age &lt;18 years, pathological or open fractures and patients with cognitive impairment. Two independent observers assessed fracture patterns and quality of reduction. Fixations were analysed using Pettrone’s criteria including assessment of fracture displacement, medial clear space and tibiofibular overlap. Patients were followed up at two years post-operatively with postal questionnaires. Validated PROMs, Olerud-Molander Score (OMAS) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) were used. For both scores a higher number indicated a better result. Co-morbidities and infection data were collated from Hospital records. Results: At 2 years post-op there were 5 deceased patients,17 did not have accessible radiographs and there was a 65% response rate to questionnaires. 46 patients were included in the final study group with a mean age of 45 (16-90). There was 1 Weber A fracture, 26 Weber B, 16 Weber C and 3 Medial malleolus fractures. 7% had Diabetes Mellitus, 22% were smokers. The mean OMAS score was 71.4(SD26.9) and LEFS score 56.7(SD25.9). There was no significant difference in PROM scores when fracture fragment reduction was optimised. There was a significant improvement in PROMs with low medial clear space and high tibiofibular overlap. Conclusion: This study reports a good correlation between quality of reduction and favourable PROMs at 2 years post ORIF ankle fracture. Reduced medial clear space and increased tibiofibular overlap were most associated with good outcome scores. Anatomical reduction of fracture fragments did not appear to affect PROMs on its own. There was very little infection in this cohort to confound the results. We would advise careful consideration of medial clear space and tibiofibular overlap in particular at time of fixation of unstable ankle fractures.

Early, Rather than Late, Weight-Bearing and Range-of-Motion Exercise Improved Early Function But Not Time to Return to Work After Surgical Fixation of Unstable Ankle Fractures.

Dehghan N, McKee MD, Jenkinson RJ, Schemitsch EH, Stas V, Nauth A, Hall JA, Stephen DJ, Kreder HJ. Early weightbearing and range of motion versus non-weightbearing and immobilization after open reduction and internal fixation of unstable ankle fractures: a randomized controlled trial. J Orthop Trauma. 2016 Jul;30(7):345-52. ### Question: In patients who had surgical fixation of unstable ankle fractures, how do early and late weight-bearing and range-of-motion exercise compare for return to work and function? ### Design: Randomized (allocation concealed), unblinded, controlled trial with 12 months of follow-up. ### Setting: 2 trauma centers in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ### Patients: 110 patients (mean age, 42 years; 54% men) who had isolated, acute, unstable ankle fractures that were treated with stable internal fixation. Exclusion criteria were syndesmotic injuries, posterior malleolar fractures needing fixation, surgical fixation >14 days after injury, grade-III open fractures, tibial plafond fractures, polytrauma, skeletal immaturity, past ipsilateral ankle surgery, nonambulatory status before injury, inability to participate in the intervention or study protocol, or receipt of Workers’ Compensation. 82% of patients provided data for the primary outcome, and ≥84% provided other data at each assessment. ### Intervention: Patients were allocated to early (n = 56) or late (n = 54) weight-bearing and range-of-motion exercise under the direction of physiotherapists. …

Should syndesmotic screws be removed after surgical fixation of unstable ankle fractures?

In approximately 20% of patients with ankle fractures, there is an concomitant injury to the syndesmosis which requires stabilisation, usually with one or more syndesmotic screws. The aim of this review is to evaluate whether removal of the syndesmotic screw is required in order for the patient to obtain optimal functional recovery. A literature search was conducted in Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library for articles in which the syndesmotic screw was retained. Articles describing both removal and retaining of syndesmotic screws were included. Excluded were biomechanical studies, studies not providing patient related outcome measures, case reports, studies on skeletally immature patients and reviews. No restrictions regarding year of publication and language were applied. A total of 329 studies were identified, of which nine were of interest, and another two articles were added after screening the references. In all, two randomised controlled trials (RCT) and nine case-control series were found. The two RCTs found no difference in functional outcome between routine removal and retaining the syndesmotic screw. All but one of the case-control series found equal or better outcomes when the syndesmotic screw was retained. However, all included studies had substantial methodological flaws. The currently available literature does not support routine elective removal of syndesmotic screws. However, the literature is of insufficient quality to be able to draw definitive conclusions. Secondary procedures incur a provider and institutional cost and expose the patient to the risk of complications. Therefore, in the absence of high quality evidence there appears to be little justification for routine removal of syndesmotic screws. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1497-1504.

Fluoroscopy-guided reduction and fibular nail fixation to manage unstable ankle fractures in patients with diabetes: a retrospective cohort study.

Patients with diabetes are at increased risk of wound complications after open reduction and internal fixation of unstable ankle fractures. A fibular nail avoids large surgical incisions and allows anatomical reduction of the mortise. We retrospectively reviewed the results of fluoroscopy-guided reduction and percutaneous fibular nail fixation for unstable Weber type B or C fractures in 24 adult patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The re-operation rate for wound dehiscence or other indications such as amputation, mortality and functional outcomes was determined. Two patients developed lateral side wound infection, one of whom underwent wound debridement. Three other patients required re-operation for removal of symptomatic hardware. No patient required a below-knee amputation. Six patients died during the study period for unrelated reasons. At a median follow-up of 12 months (7 to 38) the mean Short Form-36 Mental Component Score and Physical Component Score were 53.2 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 48.1 to 58.4) and 39.3 (95% CI 32.1 to 46.4), respectively. The mean Visual Analogue Score for pain was 3.1 (95% 1.4 to 4.9). The mean Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale total score was 32.9 (95% CI 16.0 to 49.7). Fluoroscopy-guided reduction and fibular nail fixation of unstable ankle fractures in patients with diabetes was associated with a low incidence of wound and overall complications, while providing effective surgical fixation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1197-1201.

Early Weightbearing After Operatively Treated Ankle Fractures: A Biomechanical Analysis.

No consensus exists regarding the timing of weightbearing after surgical fixation of unstable traumatic ankle fractures. We evaluated fracture displacement and timing of displacement with simulated early weightbearing in a cadaveric model. Twenty-four fresh-frozen lower extremities were assigned to Group 1, bimalleolar ankle fracture (n=6); Group 2, trimalleolar ankle fracture with unfixed small posterior malleolar fracture (n=9); or Group 3, trimalleolar ankle fracture with fixed large posterior malleolar fracture (n=9) and tested with axial compressive load at 3 Hz from 0 to 1000 N for 250 000 cycles to simulate 5 weeks of full weightbearing. Displacement was measured by differential variable reluctance transducer. The average motion at all fracture sites in all groups was significantly less than 1 mm (P < .05). Group 1 displacement of the lateral and medial malleolus fracture was 0.1±0.1 mm and 0.4±0.4 mm, respectively. Group 2 displacement of the lateral, medial, and posterior malleolar fracture was 0.6±0.4 mm, 0.5±0.4 mm, and 0.5±0.6 mm, respectively. Group 3 displacement of the lateral, medial, and posterior malleolar fracture was 0.1±0.1 mm, 0.5±0.7 mm, and 0.5±0.4 mm, respectively. The majority of displacement (64.0% to 92.3%) occurred in the first 50 000 cycles. There was no correlation between fracture displacement and bone mineral density. No significant fracture displacement, no hardware failure, and no new fractures occurred in a cadaveric model of early weightbearing in unstable ankle fracture after open reduction and internal fixation. This study supports further investigation of early weightbearing postoperative protocols after fixation of unstable ankle fractures.

Percutaneous screw fixation of unstable ankle fractures in patients with poor soft tissues and significant co-morbidities.

We describe a minimally invasive technique to stabilise unstable ankle fractures by inserting a 100mm screw up the fibula medullary canal along with percutaneous screw fixation of the medial malleolus if required. This technique is utilised in patients with poor soft tissues and significant co-morbidities where the fracture cannot be adequately controlled by a cast alone. Retrospective review of 23 patients the average age being 70 years (29-89) and 74% had significant co-morbidities. Postoperative radiographs were examined for adequacy of reduction using the method described by Mclenna and Ungersma. Patient based functional and health questionnaires were performed, reviewed and scored. Six patients were lost during the follow-up period due to death caused by issues unrelated to the ankle fracture. There were no reported intraoperative complications, no postoperative wound infections and no non-unions. There was two complications one loss of fixation, and another required removal of the screw due to irritation. Radiographic reduction was good in 52%, fair in 44% and poor in 4%. Patient questionnaire results were 70 (20-100) for the Abbreviated Olerud and Molander score and the SF-12 physical component score was 42 and mental component was 44. With appropriate patient selection percutaneous screw fixation is an excellent technique supplementing cast immobilisation of unstable ankle fractures with poor soft tissues.

Arthroscopy-Assisted Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Nail Fixation of Unstable Ankle Fractures: Description of a Minimally Invasive Procedure

When one is surgically managing an unstable ankle fracture, anatomic reduction of the syndesmosis is typically accomplished using an open surgical approach. We propose an arthroscopically assisted technique that restores normal anatomy while using a percutaneously placed intramedullary nail to fix the fibula. The patient is positioned supine, and the ankle is placed under traction by use of a tensor bandage. Standard anteromedial and anterolateral arthroscopy portals are used. The joint is examined for bony, ligamentous, and chondral injury. Lateral malleolus fracture reduction is accomplished with pointed reduction forceps to apply traction and rotation to the tip of the distal fibula fragment. A retrograde fibular intramedullary nail (Acumed, Hillsboro, OR) is inserted under fluoroscopic guidance. Arthroscopy is then used to guide the reduction of the fibula and rotation of the fibula with placement of the arthroscope in the lateral gutter. Syndesmosis screws are placed once the fracture and syndesmosis reductions are confirmed through both fluoroscopy and arthroscopy.