Trans-syndesmotic Fixation Research Articles

Early Weight-bearing Following Surgical Treatment of Ankle Fractures Without Trans-syndesmotic Fixation Is Safe and Improves Short-term Outcomes.

The objective of this study was to ascertain outcome differences after fixation of unstable rotational ankle fractures allowed to weight-bear 2 weeks postoperatively compared with 6 weeks. Prospective case-control study. Academic medical center; Level 1 trauma center. Patients with unstable ankle fractures (OTA/AO:44A-C) undergoing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) were enrolled. Patients requiring trans-syndesmotic fixation were excluded. Two surgeons allowed weight-bearing at 2 weeks postoperatively (early weight-bearing [EWB] cohort). Two other surgeons instructed standard non-weight-bearing until 6 weeks postoperatively (non-weight-bearing cohort). The main outcome measures included the Olerud-Molander questionnaire, the SF-36 questionnaire, and visual analog scale at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively and complications, return to work, range of ankle motion, and reoperations at 12 months were compared between the 2 cohorts. One hundred seven patients were included. The 2 cohorts did not differ in demographics or preinjury scores ( P > 0.05). Six weeks postoperatively, EWB patients had improved functional outcomes as measured by the Olerud-Molander and SF-36 questionnaires. Early weight-bearing patients also had better visual analog scale scores (standardized mean difference -0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.27 to -0.70, P < 0.05) and a greater proportion returning to full capacity work at 6 weeks (odds ratio = 3.42, 95% CI, 1.08-13.07, P < 0.05). One year postoperatively, EWB patients had improved pain measured by SF-36 (standardized mean difference 6.25, 95% CI, 5.59-6.92, P < 0.01) and visual analog scale scores (standardized mean difference -0.05, 95% CI, -0.32 to 0.23, P < 0.01). There were no differences in complications or reoperation at 12 months ( P > 0.05). EWB patients had improved early function, final pain scores, and earlier return to work, without an increased complication rate compared with those kept non-weight-bearing for 6 weeks. Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Trans-syndesmotic fixation in supination external rotation type 4 injuries: Are intraoperative tests reliable?

Ankle fractures occur due to a rotational mechanism. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, supination-external rotation (SER) injuries are the most common type. Following osseous fixation, the evaluation and treatment of syndesmotic injuries in these injuries are controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical, functional, and radiological results of trans-syndesmotic fixation using intraoperative tests in SER type 4 ankle injuries. Ankle syndesmosis was intraoperatively evaluated using cotton/hook and manual external rotation stress tests in 64 patients with SER type 4 fracture dislocation injuries. These patients were divided into two groups: those treated with and without trans-syndesmotic fixation in addition to open reduction and internal fixation of the fractures. Ankle range of motion (ROM), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score, and Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), tibiofibular overlap, tibiofibular clear space, and joint arthritis based on the Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) scale were evaluated. Median values of OMAS (Z=-3.92, p<0.001), AOFAS (Z=-4.31, p<0.001), and ROM (Z=-2.95, p=0.003) were higher in Group 1. There were no differences between the groups regarding tibiofibular overlap median values (Z=-0.59, p=0.0554), tibiofibular clear space (Z=-1.13, p=0.258), and Kellgren-Lawrence arthritis scale. Lack of posterior malleolus fixation was found to increase the risk of arthritis by 18.197 times, despite having trans-syndesmotic fixation, which was statistically significant (Confidence Interval, CI: 2.482-133.417, p=0.004) (Table 4). Median values of OMAS, AOFAS, and ROM in patients without trans-syndesmotic fixation were lower. These results indicate that intraoperative tests may not provide entirely accurate results in SER type 4 injuries. Failure to detect a syndesmotic injury timely can result in instability. Therefore, we think that routine trans-syndesmotic fixation, as well as posterior malleolus fixation in SER type 4 ankle injuries, may improve outcomes.

Effect of Posterior Malleolar Fixation on Syndesmotic Stability

Background: Transsyndesmotic fixation with suture buttons (SBs), posterior malleolar fixation with screws, and anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) augmentation using suture tape (ST) have all been suggested as potential treatments in the setting of a posterior malleolar fracture (PMF). However, there is no consensus on the optimal treatment for PMFs. Purpose: To determine which combination of (1) transsyndesmotic SBs, (2) posterior malleolar screws, and (3) AITFL augmentation using ST best restored native tibiofibular and ankle joint kinematics after 25% and 50% PMF. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twenty cadaveric lower-leg specimens were divided into 2 groups (25% or 50% PMF) and underwent biomechanical testing using a 6 degrees of freedom robotic arm in 7 states: intact, syndesmosis injury with PMF, transsyndesmotic SBs, transsyndesmotic SBs + AITFL augmentation, transsyndesmotic SBs + AITFL augmentation + posterior malleolar screws, posterior malleolar screws + AITFL augmentation, and posterior malleolar screws. Four biomechanical tests were performed at neutral and 30° of plantarflexion: external rotation, internal rotation, posterior drawer, and lateral drawer. The position of the tibia, fibula, and talus were recorded using a 5-camera motion capture system. Results: With external rotation, posterior malleolar screws with AITFL augmentation resulted in best stability of the fibula and ankle joint. With internal rotation, all repairs that included posterior malleolar screws stabilized the fibula and ankle joint. Posterior and lateral drawer resulted in only small differences between the intact and injured states. No differences were found in the efficacy of treatments between 25% and 50% PMFs. Conclusion: Posterior malleolar screws resulted in higher syndesmotic stability when compared with transsyndesmotic SBs. AITFL augmentation provided additional external rotational stability when combined with posterior malleolar screws. Transsyndesmotic SBs did not provide any additional stability and tended to translate the fibula medially. Clinical Relevance: Posterior malleolar fixation with AITFL augmentation using ST may be the preferred surgical method when treating patients with acute ankle injury involving an unstable syndesmosis and a PMF ≥25%.

A retrospective study of deltoid ligament repair versus syndesmotic fixation in lateral malleolus fracture combined with both deltoid ligament injury and inferior tibiofibular syndesmotic disruption.

To compare clinical outcomes of deltoid ligament repair versus syndesmotic fixation in lateral malleolus fracture combined with both deltoid ligament injury and inferior tibiofibular syndesmotic disruption. Patients diagnosed with lateral malleolus fracture combined with both deltoid ligament injury and inferior tibiofibular syndesmotic disruption who received open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-eight patients were enrolled into the study, including 40 patients treated with lateral malleolus fracture ORIF and trans-syndesmotic fixation, and 38 patients treated with lateral malleolus fracture ORIF and deltoid ligament repair. Basic information and pre- and postoperative radiological materials were reviewed. Visual analog pain scale (VAS) score, Olerud-Molander score, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale were used for evaluating pain control and functional recovery postoperatively at different time points. No complication was reported in both groups. In the trans-syndesmotic fixation group, all patients received syndesmotic screw removal 6-8 weeks postoperatively. The Olerud-Molander score and AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale in the deltoid ligament repair group were higher than the trans-syndesmotic fixation group 3 months after operation. No statistical difference was found between the two groups in VAS score from 1 to 12 months postoperatively. Lateral malleolus fracture ORIF and deltoid ligament repair is an effective method for lateral malleolus fracture combined with both deltoid ligament injury and inferior tibiofibular syndesmotic disruption. Compared with trans-syndesmotic fixation, deltoid ligament repair holds the advantage of not needing surgical removal of inferior tibiofibular screws postoperatively.

Unstable Rotational Ankle Fractures Treated With Anatomic Mortise Repair and Direct Posterior Malleolus Fixation.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient outcomes following a standardized algorithmic approach to ankle mortise stabilization, following rotational fracture, utilizing direct repair of the posterior malleolus in the prone position. Methods: Eighty consecutive patients with unstable rotational ankle fractures that involved the posterior malleolus were analyzed. All underwent direct repair of the posterior malleolus regardless of size through a posterolateral approach. Electronic records were retrospectively reviewed for demographic information, initial injury and operation details, healing status, and complications. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were obtained to assess the initial injury and healing was determined both by radiographic and clinical progress at follow-up visits. Results: Average posterior malleolus fragment width was 8.1 ± 3.7 mm (range = 2.1-19.9 mm) and percentage of the articular surface was 23.6% (range = 7.1%-56.7%) on the lateral radiograph. Overall, 80/80 (100%) patients healed their ankle fractures by a mean 2.9 ± 1.1 months. Only 1 (1.3%) patient required transsyndesmotic fixation following posterior malleolus repair. Mean range of ankle motion was as follows: dorsiflexion 20° ± 10°, plantarflexion 34° ± 10°, inversion 8° ± 4°, and eversion 7° ± 4°. Seventy-nine patients (98.8%) had an anatomic mortise reduction. Nine patients (11.3%) had a superficial wound complication, 3 patients (3.8%) had dysesthesia in the sural nerve distribution, and 1 patient (1.3%) lost reduction of the medial malleolus. Conclusion: Patients who undergo direct repair of the posterior malleolus in the prone position can expect a high rate of healing with superficial wound breakdown being the biggest problem, which was associated with an ankle fracture dislocation. Posterior malleolus fixation may obviate the need of transsyndesmotic stabilization.Levels of Evidence: Retrospective Level IV.

Poster 267: The Impact of Posterior Malleolar Fixation on Syndesmotic Stability

Objectives:Trans-syndesmotic fixation with suture buttons, posterior malleolar fixation (PMF) with screws and anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) augmentation with suture tape have all been suggested as potential treatments in the setting of a malleolar fracture. However, there is no consensus on the optimal treatment for small vs. large malleolar fractures. The purpose of this study was to determine which combination of: 1) posterior malleolar screw fixation, 2) syndesmotic fixation with suture button (SB), and 3) AITFL augmentation with suture tape (ST) best restored native tibio-fibular and ankle joint kinematics following a small and large posterior malleolar fracture.Methods:Twenty fresh frozen cadaveric lower leg specimens were divided into two groups and underwent biomechanical testing using a 6-degrees-of-freedom robotic arm in 7 states: 1) Native, 2) Syndesmosis Injury + Malleolar Fracture (Group 1: small fracture, Group 2: large fracture) 3) Screw fixation, 4) Screw + Suture Tape Augmentation, 5) Screw + Suture Tape Augmentation + Suture Button, 6) Suture Button + Suture Tape Augmentation, 7) Suture Button. Four biomechanical tests were performed at neutral and at 30 degrees of plantarflexion: 1) Internal Rotation, 2) External Rotation, 3) Lateral Drawer, 4) Posterior Drawer. The position of the tibia, fibula and talus were continuously recorded using a 5-camera motion capture system.Results:No differences were found in the efficacy of treatments between the small fracture and large fracture groups. In the external rotation test, screws with ST augmentation resulted in best stability of the fibula and ankle joint. In the internal rotation test, all repairs that included posterior malleolar screws stabilized the fibula and ankle. Posterior and lateral drawer of the foot resulted in only small differences between the intact and malleolar fracture states.Conclusions:Posterior malleolar fixation resulted in higher syndesmotic stability compared to trans-syndesmotic fixation with SBs. AITFL augmentation with ST provided additional external rotation stability when combined with screw fixation. Posterior malleolar screw fixation with AITFL augmentation using ST may be the preferred surgical method when treating patients with acute ankle injury involving an unstable syndesmosis injury and a posterior malleolar fragment.Figure 1.Sample of Syndesmosis Injury With Repair.Figure 2.Experimental Specimen Set-Up With the 6 D.O.F.Robotic Arm.

New Therapy Option: Maisonneuve Fracture without Transsyndesmotic Fixation

Ankle fracture is one of the common injuries in orthopedic department, the Maisonneuve fracture is a specific type of ankle injury. This fracture is usually caused by rotational force. According to the Lauge -Hansen classification, it is a pronation and external rotation type injury, often resulting in inferior tibiofibular injury. Because it is extremely unstable, it is usually treated surgically. Operative treatment includes medial malleolus fixtion, reduction of the inferior tibiofibular joint and screw fixation. When the fibula fractured is without shortening or dislocation, it is still controversial if inferior tibiofibular joint needs fixation. The aim of this study is to introduce a new method-Maisonneuve without transsyndesmotic fixation and analysis the follow-up result.

New therapy option: Maisonneuve fracture without transsyndesmotic fixation

Ankle fracture is one of the common injuries in the orthopedic department, the Maisonneuve fracture is a specific type of ankle injury. This fracture is usually caused by rotational force. According to the Lauge -Hansen classification, it is a pronation and external rotation type injury, often resulting in inferior tibiofibular injury. Because it is extremely unstable, it is usually treated surgically. Operative treatment includes medial malleolus fixation, reduction of the inferior tibiofibular joint and screw fixation. When the fibula fractured is without shortening or dislocation, it is still controversial if the inferior tibiofibular joint needs fixation. This study aims to introduce a new method-Maisonneuve without transsyndesmotic fixation and analysis the follow-up result.

New Therapy Option: Maisonneuve Fracture without Trans-syndesmotic Fixation

Ankle fracture is one of the common injuries in orthopedic department, the Maisonneuve fracture is a specific type of ankle injury. This fracture is usually caused by rotational force. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, it is a pronation and external rotation type injury, often resulting in inferior tibiofibular injury. Because it is extremely unstable, it is usually treated surgically. Operative treatment includes medial malleolus fixtion, reduction of the inferior tibiofibular joint and screw fixation. When the fibula fractured is without shortening or dislocation, it is still controversial if inferior tibiofibular joint needs fixation. The aim of this study is to introduce a new method-Maisonneuve without trans-syndesmotic fixation and analysis the follow-up result.

Deltoid ligament repair versus trans-syndesmotic fixation for bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures

IntroductionThe role of deltoid ligament repair is controversial in the treatment of bimalleolar equivalent ankle injuries. Our purpose was to compare midterm functional outcomes and reoperation rates of unstable distal fibula fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of the fibula and either deltoid ligament repair, trans-syndesmotic fixation, or combined fixation. MethodsSkeletally mature subjects were retrospectively identified after fixation of isolated unstable distal fibula fractures treated at a single academic level 1 hospital from January 2005 to May 2019. The AAOS Foot and Ankle Module outcomes questionnaire (AAOS-FAM) was obtained at a mean time from surgery of 4.6 +/- 3.1 years. Subjects underwent one of three methods of fixation including distal fibula ORIF and one of the following: trans-syndesmotic fixation (N = 66), deltoid ligament repair (N = 16), or combined trans-syndesmotic fixation and deltoid ligament repair (N = 26). Outcomes scores and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were compared between groups by Kruskal-Wallis testing for non-normally distributed data. Rates of reoperation were compared by Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was set to P < 0.05 for all comparisons. ResultsThere was no significant difference in AAOS-FAM scores between the three groups (P = 0.18). No subjects in the deltoid ligament repair group underwent reoperation compared to 17 (26%) in the trans-syndesmotic fixation group and six (23%) in the combined fixation group. The most common reason for reoperation was removal of hardware, which was performed in 12 (18%) subjects in the trans-syndesmotic fixation group and three (12%) subjects in the combined fixation group. ConclusionsDirect deltoid ligament repair yields similar functional scores and fewer reoperations compared to trans-syndesmotic fixation at midterm follow up. Deltoid ligament repair may be a favorable treatment strategy when considering trans-syndesmotic fixation in the surgical treatment of unstable distal fibula fractures.

Повреждение дистального межберцового синдесмоза, пути улучшения результатов лечения (обзор литературы)

Introduction Treatment of patients with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis (DTFS) ruptures remains controversial. Ankle fractures accompanied by syndesmosis rupture are associated with worse outcomes. There is no diagnosis and treatment algorithm for such injuries to date. The objective was to summarize the data on diagnosis and treatment of syndesmotic injury alone and in combination with ankle fractures through world literature review. Material and methods A systematic literature search was undertaken using elibrary, PubMed, ResearchGate databases with articles dated 1990 and later. The search depth was 30 years. With preliminary information collected low-relevant articles were excluded. Meta-analysis studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, cadaveric biomechanical studies were reviewed. Results Screws and suture buttons can be used to fix DTFS, and Volkmann, Shaput and Wagstaff fractures being transosseous injuries to DTFS can be repaired with osteosynthesis. Imaging evaluation of reduction can be produced with radiography, MSCT, MRI and arthroscopy. Partial injuries to the DTFS, if timely detected, can be treated conservatively with transition to surgical stabilization if signs of instability persist. Discussion Conventional radiography has very low diagnostic value for DTFS injury. Bilateral MSCT is recommended for assessment of a syndesmotic injury and MRI of the ankle joint is practical for partial isolated injuries. Concomitant injuries of the fibular notch of the tibia are recommended to address first prior to transsyndesmotic fixation. Open reduction of displaced DTFS is accompanied by a lower risk of fibular malposition and malreduction. Suture buttons are practical for transsyndesmotic fixation. Removal of positional screws does not affect the functional result of treatment. More stable osteosynthesis would be needed for DTFS injury in neuropathy.

Management of deltoid ligament injuries in acute ankle fracture: a systematic review.

Background:Deltoid ligament repair (DLR) was historically a common adjunct to ankle fracture fixation; however, prevailing clinical practice is to explore the medial side of the ankle only if reduction is blocked. We performed a systematic review to determine the breadth and quality of the literature evaluating DLR in the context of ankle fractures.Methods:We searched the MEDLINE and Embase databases in May 2020 for English-language articles evaluating DLR versus no repair or syndesmotic fixation in patients with acute ankle fractures. We used descriptive statistics to compare studies and draw conclusions.Results:Of 362 articles identified, 8 (3 randomized controlled trials [RCTs] and 5 retrospective cohort studies) were included in our final analysis. Five studies compared DLR to conservative management, and 3 compared DLR to transsyndesmotic fixation. Functional outcomes were equivalent between groups. Five of the 6 studies that included radiographic outcomes showed a statistically significant decrease in the medial clear space and decreased malreduction rates postoperatively in the DLR groups.Conclusion:High-quality evidence guiding treatment of deltoid ligament injury in acute ankle fractures is lacking; currently available evidence appears to support DLR. Given recent increased interest in DLR and syndesmotic fixation, a comprehensive multicentre RCT is warranted. Although radiographic evidence indicates the potential benefit of DLR, further research is required to establish the superiority of DLR versus clinical equipoise.

Posterior malleous fixation in trimalleolar ankle fractures using anterior to posterior screw versus posterolateral plate

Introduction: Posterior malleolar fractures are observed in approximately 7%-44% of all ankle fractures. Due to the important biomechanical function of the posterior tibial margin in weight-bearing and ankle stability, the affected ankle is prone to degenerative ankle arthritis. In ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus, the issue of which type of fractures require posterior malleolus fixation is still controversial, suggesting that a trans-syndesmotic fixation may be adequate instead of posterior malleolar fixation. Objective: This study compares the anterior to posterior screw versus posterolateral plate for posterior malleous fixation in trimalleolar ankle fractures. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in patients with trimalleolar ankle fracture admitted in a tertiary level health care centre.It is a Prospective, randomized comparative study. Patients were randomized into two groups by using computerized random no. table and subsequent pt. was allocated in alternative groups /In group A fixed with anterior to posterior screw was done by an identified orthopedic surgeon. In group open reduction internal fixation with posterolateral plate fixation. Patients were examined for clinical and radiological, union, bone strength, weight bearing, deformity and range of motion at 2wks, 6wks, till 6 months. Results: Forty six patients were evaluated in this study and were divided in two groups accordingly. Group A = Anterior to posterior leg screw and Group B = Postero-lateral Plate. Evidence of union in X-ray seen after 18.80±1.92 weeks of operation in group-A and 20.16±2.01 weeks in group-B. In terms of functional result, 28.00% patients were excellent, 58.00% patients were good and 14.00% patients were poor in group-A. 40.00% patients treatment results were excellent, 50.00% patients treatment results were good and 10.00% patients treatment results were poor in group-B. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that posterior malleolar fracture fixation is closely related to successful radiological and functional outcomes after trimalleolar fractures. Transyndesmal screw fixation may not be needed in the cases where the posterior malleolar fracture fixated. For these reasons, we recommend that all posterior malleolar fractures have to be fixed regardless of size.

Ankle Fractures Involving the Posterior Malleolus: 7-Year Results in 100 Cases

Category:Ankle; TraumaIntroduction/Purpose:The presence of a posterior malleolar (PM) fragment has a negative prognostic impact in ankle fractures. The best treatment is still subject to debate and new concepts continue to emerge. The aim of this study was to assess the medium- to long-term clinical and functional outcome of ankle fractures with a PM fragment in a larger patient population treated with an individualized treatment approach.Methods:One hundred patients with ankle fractures involving the PM were identified retrospectively and reevaluated at an average follow-up of 7.0 years. Fixation of the PM was tailored to the individual fracture pattern. Bartoníček-Rammelt type I PM fractures (extraincisural shell-like fragments) were not fixed surgically. Displaced Type II (posterolateral fragments) and type III PM fractures (two-part with medial extension) were mostly fixed with direct posterior screw or plate fixation. Intercalary joint fragments were fixed with lost K-wires or resorbable pins. Type IV PM fractures (large triangular fragments) were treated with either posterior screw / plate fixation or indirect anteroposterior screw fixation with direct transfibular control of reduction, if feasible.Results:Internal PM fragment fixation was negatively correlated with the need for syndesmotic screw placement at the time of surgery (p=0.010). At 7 years, the mean Foot Function Index was 16.5, the Olerud Molander Ankle Score averaged 80.2 and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle/hindfoot score averaged 87.5. The physical (PCS) and mental health component summary (MCS) scores of the SF-36 averaged 47.7 and 50.5, respectively. Range of motion was within 3.4 degrees of the uninjured side. The size of the PM fragment had no prognostic value. There was a trend to lower outcome scores with anterior or posterior shift of the distal fibula of 1 mm within the tibial incisura. Patients who underwent primary internal fixation had significantly superior SF-36 MCS than patients who underwent staged internal fixation (p=0.031). Two patients (2%) needed secondary ankle fusion following deep infection.Conclusion:With an individualized treatment protocol, tailored to the CT-based assessment of PM fractures, favorable medium and long-term results can be expected. The mere size of the PM fragment is just one of the factors guiding treatment, other important criteria are fragment displacement, impaction of the tibial plafond and incisura involvement. PM fixation provides direct bone-to-bone fixation of the syndesmosis and significantly reduces the need for additional transsyndesmotic fixation with a screw or flexible implant.

Early Protected Weightbearing After Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures With Trans-syndesmotic Screws

Traditional postoperative care after open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of unstable ankle fractures with syndesmotic instability includes non-weightbearing for 6 to 8 weeks. However, prolonged non-weightbearing may be detrimental. The goal of this case series was to assess the outcomes of early protected weightbearing after operative treatment of acute ankle fractures with syndesmotic instability requiring screw stabilization. Fifty-eight consecutive patients, treated from January 2006 to January 2013, met the inclusion criteria with a minimum follow up of 1 year. Electronic medical records and radiographs were reviewed for patient and surgical characteristics, postoperative complications, and maintenance of reduction. Patients initiated walking at an average of 10 days (range 1 to 15) postoperatively. Surgical treatment consisted of operative reduction with standard fixation devices and 1 or 2 trans-syndesmotic screws that purchased 4 cortices. All 58 patients maintained correction after surgery when allowed to weightbear early in the postoperative recovery. Five complications (8.6%) occurred in the 58 patients, which included 3 superficial infections (5.2%) and 2 cases (3.4%) of neuritis. The maintenance of reduction and low complication rate in this study support the option of early protected weightbearing after ankle fracture ORIF with trans-syndesmotic fixation.

The Clinical, Radiologic Outcomes of Indirect Anteroposterior Screw Fixation for Posterior Malleolar Fracture in Rotational Ankle Fractures: Comparison with Syndesmosis Fixation

Category:AnkleIntroduction/Purpose:The posterior malleolus is an important soft tissue attachment for the posterior inferior syndesmosis ligament. Recent studies suggested that direct fixation of a sizable posterior malleolar (PM) fracture through posterolateral approach would act to stabilize the syndesmosis and minimize or eliminate the need for trans-syndesmotic fixation. Indirect anteroposterior (AP) screw fixation was an alternative method, which represent relatively low complication. However, there were few studies to evaluate the stability of syndesmosis after indirect anteroposterior screw. The purpose of this study was to define the rate of syndesmotic instability after anteroposterior screw fixation and to compare to the clinical and anatomical outcomes with indirect reduction without fixation.Methods:We performed a retrospective review between 2009 and 2015 of consecutive patients who underwent surgery with sustained rotational ankle fractures including PM fractures. The exclusion criteria included age <18 years, diabetic neuropathy, tibial pilon fractures, previous ankle fracture repair and not available at minimum 1 year follow up. After the fibula and medial malleolar fracture fixation, the PM was fixed with an AP screw, leaving some of relatively smaller and indirect reduced PM fractures unfixed. Patients were sorted into 2 groups according to the presence (group F) or absence (group N) of AP screw fixation of PM. Then, both groups were divided according to the intraoperative necessity of syndesmotic fixation. The demographics, PM fragment size and syndesmosis widening comparing intact ankle on CT at 1 year postoperatively were recorded for each fracture. The functional outcomes were assessed with the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS).Results:A total 126 patients met the study inclusion criteria and underwent analysis. Syndesmotic fixation was required in 17 of 78 (21.8%) and 24 of 88 (72.7%) in group F and N, respectively (p=0.012). Postoperative and follow-up FAOS scores were similar in the four subgroups. The tibiofibular distance on CT was greater in the patients without syndesmotic screw fixation in group F and N (p=0.036 and 0.021, respectively).Conclusion:Indirect AP screw fixation of the PM fracture in rotational ankle fractures might be support syndesmotic stability and, thus, lower the rate of syndesmotic fixation. Also, these patients have functional outcomes at least equivalent to outcomes for patients having syndesmotic screw fixation. However, in AP screw fixation group, syndesmosis widening was evaluated without syndesmosis fixation, which could be resulted in degenerative arthritis change. Therefore, our data demonstrate that indirect AP screw fixation of PM fracture alone could not restore syndesmotic stability perfectly.

Open reduction and internal fixation of the posterior malleolus fragment frequently restores syndesmotic stability

AimComparison of unfixed, CRIF, and ORIF of the posterior malleolus fragment (PMF) regarding the frequency of trans-syndesmotic fixation and quality of reduction in trimalleolar (equivalent) fractures. Material and MethodsRetrospective registry study. Patients with a trimalleolar (equivalent) ankle fractures were identified within the departments’ fracture database. General demographics, treatment details, and fracture specific details (CT-scans) were assessed. Patients were grouped per the PMF treatment: not addressed, CRIF, ORIF. Results236 patients (53.0 ± 18.3 (range: 18–100) years), 58.1% female were eligible. The mean size of the PMF was 21.4 ± 10.4% (range: 2.7–55.9%), 71.6% were ≤25% of the tibial plafond. PMF fixation: Untreated 48.3%, CRIF 18.6%, ORIF 33.1%. ORIF of the PMF significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the frequency of trans-syndesmotic fixation (25%) compared to CRIF (61%) or untreated PMF (63%) with no significant influence of the PMF size (≤25%/>25%). ORIF resulted in a significantly (p < 0.001) better quality of reduction (1.2 ± 1.1 mm (range: 0–5 mm)) compared to CRIF (2.5 ± 2.1 mm (range: 0–8 mm)) and untreated PMF (2.5 ± 2.3 mm (range: 0–20 mm)). Neither the frequency of trans-syndesmotic fixation nor the quality of reduction differed significantly between untreated PMF and CRIF. ConclusionAll posterior malleolus fragments, independent of their size, should be treated by ORIF, as this restores syndesmotic stability significantly more often than untreated PMF or CRIF.

Biomechanical Comparison of Syndesmotic Repair Techniques During External Rotation Stress

The purpose of this study was to compare mechanical behavior of conventional syndesmosis fixation devices with new anatomic repair techniques incorporating various repair augmentations to determine which approach would return rotational ankle mechanics closer to those of an intact ankle. Ten pairs of fresh-frozen through-the-knee cadaveric lower limbs were subjected to 7.5 Nm of external rotation torque while under 750 N of axial compression. After testing specimens intact and with the deltoid and syndesmotic ligament complexes completely destabilized, specimens underwent syndesmotic fixation using a screw, a suture button construct, a prototype structurally augmented flexible trans-syndesmotic fixation device, or the prototype device plus suture repairs of the anterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament and deep deltoid ligament. Syndesmotic repair devices were exchanged between tests so that each specimen was tested with 2 different fixation techniques. Whole-foot rotation angles at 7.5 Nm of applied torque were measured for comparison of the different repair strategies, and reflective markers mounted on the tibia, fibula, and talus were used to track translations and rotations of the talus and the fibula relative to the tibia during testing. Syndesmotic destabilization significantly ( P < .001) increased whole-foot, talus, and fibula rotation in an axial plane and posterior fibula translation under 7.5 Nm of torque. Neither the suture button nor the augmented flexible trans-syndesmotic fixation device reduced those increases. Screw fixation or addition of anatomic ligament repairs to the augmented flexible fixation device successfully reduced axial plane rotations and sagittal plane translations to near intact levels. Flexible trans-syndesmotic fixation alone was found to be insufficient for restoring rotational stability to the ankle/talus or preventing sagittal plane displacement of the fibula. Repairs to simulate anatomic structures disrupted during a syndesmosis injury were required to restore rotational stability to the foot when using flexible trans-syndesmotic fixation that may have clinical applicability.

Evaluation of Transsyndesmotic Fixation and Primary Deltoid Ligament Repair in Ankle Fractures With Suspected Combined Deltoid Ligament Injury

The present prospective study examined the utility of the intraoperative tap test/technique for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis in the diagnosis of deltoid ligament rupture and compared the outcomes of transsyndesmotic fixation to deltoid ligament repair with suture anchor. This diagnostic technique was performed in 59 ankle fractures with suspected deltoid ligament injury. The width of the medial clear space of 59 cases was evaluated to assess the sensitivity and specificity. Those with deltoid ligament rupture were randomly assigned to 2 groups and treated with deltoid ligament repair with a suture anchor or with syndesmosis screw fixation. All the patients were assessed with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale, short-form 36-item questionnaire (SF-36), and visual analog scale (VAS). The tap test was positive in 53 cases. However, surgical exploration demonstrated that 51 cases (86.4%) had a combined deltoid ligament injury and fracture. The sensitivity and specificity of the tap test was 100.0% and 75.0%, respectively. Finally, 26 cases (96.3%) in the syndesmosis screw group and 22 (91.7%) in the deltoid repair group were followed up. No statistically significant differences were found in the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale score, SF-36 score, or VAS score between the 2 groups. The malreduction rate in the syndesmosis screw group was 34.6% and that in the deltoid repair group was 9.09%. The tap test is an intraoperative diagnostic method to use to evaluate for deltoid ligament injury. Deltoid ligament repair with a suture anchor had good functional and radiologic outcomes comparable to those with syndesmotic screw fixation but has a lower malreduction rate. We did not encounter the issue of internal fixation failure or implant removal.

Repair of syndesmosis injury in ankle fractures: Current state of the art.

Conventional treatment of syndesmosis injuries in rotationally unstable ankle fractures is associated with an unacceptably high rate of malreduction, and this has led to a paradigm shift in the approach to a newer concept of anatomical repair.In the anatomical approach, the principle is to ‘directly fix what is broken and repair what is torn’. The approach is effective in reducing the rate of syndesmosis malreduction, increasing the biomechanical strength of syndesmosis fixation and avoiding the need for trans-syndesmotic fixation and its secondary removal.The objective of this review article is to compare the conventional treatment of these injuries (accepted usage, general consent, traditional, generally accepted) with a newer anatomical approach to be considered as a shift in thinking.Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2018;3:24-29. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.3.170017