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Anatomy, Classification, and Management of Ankle Fractures Involving the Posterior Malleolar Fragment: A Literature Review.

ABSTRACT: The posterior malleolar fragment is frequently involved in rotational ankle fractures, but diagnosis and definitive management remains controversial. Ankle fractures with a posterior malleolar component that are not identified and treated in a timely manner may contribute significantly to future comorbidities, including continued pain, instability, and the development of arthritis. This article highlights the anatomic features of posterior malleolar ankle fractures, the classification schemes used, and discusses the various nonsurgical and surgical methods currently used.

Level of evidence

Level V, expert opinion.

SUBMITTER: Bergman C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8697079 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Anatomy, Classification, and Management of Ankle Fractures Involving the Posterior Malleolar Fragment: A Literature Review.

Bergman Christian C Morin Matthew M Lawson Kevin K

Foot & ankle orthopaedics 20191001 4

The posterior malleolar fragment is frequently involved in rotational ankle fractures, but diagnosis and definitive management remains controversial. Ankle fractures with a posterior malleolar component that are not identified and treated in a timely manner may contribute significantly to future comorbidities, including continued pain, instability, and the development of arthritis. This article highlights the anatomic features of posterior malleolar ankle fractures, the classification schemes us ...[more]

PMID: 35097350

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Project description:BackgroundIn the past, posterior malleolus fragments (PMFs) commonly have been indirectly reduced and fixed when fragments involve 25% or more of the tibial articular surface, while smaller fragments were left unfixed. The posterior approach has become increasingly popular and allows fixation of even smaller fragments. This study compares clinical outcome for the 2 treatment strategies.MethodsPatients with ankle fractures involving a PMF treated from 2014 to 2016 were eligible for inclusion. Patients were allocated to group A (treated with a posterior approach) or group B (treated with the traditional approach) according to the treatment given. A one-to-one matching of patients from each group based on the size of the PMF was performed. Patient charts were reviewed, and outcome evaluation was performed clinically, radiographically, and by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs; Self-Reported Foot and Ankle Score, RAND-36, visual analog scale [VAS] of pain, and VAS of satisfaction). Forty-three patients from each group were matched. Median follow-up was 26 (interquartile range [IQR], 19-35) months postoperatively.ResultsThe median PMF size was 17% (IQR, 12-24) in both groups, and they reported similar results in terms of PROMs. Fixation of the PMF was performed in 42 of 43 (98%) patients in group A and 7 of 43 (16%) patients in group B (P < .001). The former group more frequently got temporary external fixation (56% vs 12%, P < .01) and less frequently had syndesmotic fixation (14% vs 49%, P < .01), and they had less mechanical irritation and hardware removal but more noninfectious skin problems (28% vs 5%, P < .01). Median time from injury to definitive surgery (8 vs 0 days, P < .001) and median length of stay (12 vs 3 days, P < .001) were longer in group A.ConclusionComparison of treatment strategies for ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus showed similar results between patients treated with a traditional approach and a posterior approach.Level of evidenceLevel III, retrospective comparative study.

Project description:BackgroundThe optimal method for the reduction and fixation of posterior malleolar fracture (PMF) remains inconclusive. Currently, both of the indirect and direct reduction techniques are widely used. We aimed to compare the reduction quality and clinical outcome of posterior malleolar fracture managed with the direct reduction technique through posterolateral approach or the indirect reduction technique using ligamentotaxis.MethodsPatients with a PMF involving over 25% of the articular surface were recruited and assigned to the direct reduction (DR) group or the indirect reduction (IR) group. Following reduction and fixation of the fracture, the quality of fracture reduction was evaluated in post-operative CT images. Clinical and radiological follow-ups were performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and then at 6 month-intervals postoperatively. Functional outcome (AOFAS score), ankle range of motion, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were evaluated at the last follow-up. Statistical differences were compared between the DR and IR groups considering the patient demographics, quality of fracture reduction, AOFAS score, and VAS.ResultsTotally 116 patients were included, wherein 64 cases were assigned to the DR group and 52 cases were assigned to the IR group. The quality of fracture reduction was significant higher in the DR group (P = 0.038). In the patients who completed a minimum of 12 months' follow-up, a median AOFAS score of 87 was recorded in the DR group, which was significantly higher than that recorded in the IR group (a median score of 80). The ankle range of motion was slightly better in the DR group, with the mean dorsiflexion restriction recorded to be 5.2° and 6.1° in the DR and IR group respectively (P = 0.331). Similar VAS score was observed in the two groups (P = 0.419).ConclusionsThe direct reduction technique through a posterolateral approach provide better quality of fracture reduction and functional outcome in the management of PMF over 25% of articular surface, as compared with the indirect reduction technique using ligamentotaxis.Trial registrationNCT02801474 (retrospectively registered, June 2016, ClinicalTrails.gov).

Dataset Information

Anatomy, Classification, and Management of Ankle Fractures Involving the Posterior Malleolar Fragment: A Literature Review.

Level of evidence

Publications

Anatomy, Classification, and Management of Ankle Fractures Involving the Posterior Malleolar Fragment: A Literature Review.

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