Hybrid Fixation for Danis-Weber Type C Fractures With Syndesmosis Injury

2020 ◽  
pp. 107110072096479
Author(s):  
Gi Beom Kim ◽  
Chul Hyun Park

Background: This study aimed to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of hybrid fixation for Danis-Weber type C ankle fractures with a syndesmotic injury. Methods: From January 2016 to April 2018, we retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent hybrid fixation for Danis-Weber type C ankle fractures with syndesmotic injury with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. We excluded patients who achieved syndesmosis stability after fracture fixation. In all patients, we allowed partial weightbearing at 4 weeks postoperatively. We evaluated the visual analog scale for ankle pain, the Olerud-Molander ankle score, and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score. Malreduction of the syndesmosis was defined based on 2 previously reported methods. Fourteen patients (11 men and 3 women) were included in this study. There were 11 patients with pronation external rotation-type fractures and 3 patients with Maisonneuve fractures. The average age at operation was 37.2 years (range, 18-70 years). Results: Clinical scores were significantly improved at the last follow-up. Postoperative malreduction was observed only in 1 patient (7.1%). Conclusion: Hybrid fixation using a suture-button device combined with a syndesmotic screw in Danis-Weber type C fractures with syndesmosis injury showed a high accuracy of reduction, a low rate of diastasis, and favorable clinical outcomes. This combined method could be a good alternative treatment option for Danis-Weber type C ankle fractures with a syndesmosis injury. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 67-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serkan Sipahioglu ◽  
Sinan Zehir ◽  
Erdem Isikan

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To evaluate syndesmosis-only fixation in Weber C ankle fractures with tibiofibular diastasis and to assess the need for additional fibular fixation. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with Weber C ankle fractures and tibiofibular diastasis were followed for at least 24 months after treatment. In treatment of the Weber C fractures, only a syndesmosis screw was used through a mini open lateral incision if the syndesmosis could be anatomically reduced and fibular length and rotation could be restored. At follow-up, anteroposterior tibiofibular distance, lateral fibular distance, medial mortise distance and fracture healing were compared and patients were clinically evaluated using the Olerud and Molander ankle scale scoring system. RESULTS: The average duration of follow-up was 49 months and the decreases in anteroposterior tibiofibular distance and lateral fibular distance were statistically significant. At the last follow-up the average clinical score was 86. Ankle mortise was reduced at follow-up in all cases except one, which resulted in a late diastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Syndesmosis-only fixation can be an effective method of treating Weber type-C lateral malleolar fractures with syndesmosis disruption in cases where intraoperative fibular length can be restored and anatomical syndesmosis reduction can be achieved. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107110072110174
Author(s):  
Duk-hwan Kho ◽  
Byung-Ki Cho ◽  
Seung-Myung Choi

Background: We aimed to compare midterm radiological and clinical outcomes between closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) using the fibular intramedullary nail (IMN) and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using the locking plate for the treatment of unstable ankle fractures in active young patients. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 204 patients treated with CRIF using the fibular IMN (94 patients) or ORIF using the locking plate (110 patients) were included after at least 3 years of follow-up. The mean patient age was 41.4 years. Radiographic evaluation included the quality of reduction assessed by plain radiography and 3-dimensional (3D)–reconstructed computed tomography as well as the development of posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) of the ankle assessed by weightbearing plain radiography. Clinical evaluation included the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society hindfoot score, Olerud and Molander Score, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, and visual analog scale pain score as well as complications. Results: At median follow-up greater than 4 years, we found no significant differences in measured clinical outcomes between the 2 groups. There were significantly fewer postoperative complications in the IMN group than in the ORIF group (9.5% vs 39%, P < .001). However, we did find a greater proportion of radiographically fair or poor reductions in the IMN group than in the ORIF group ( P < .001). The poor reductions in the IMN group were primarily related to Weber type C, pronation-type injury, and comminuted fibular and trimalleolar fractures ( P < .001). PTOA was also more frequently observed in the IMN group than in the ORIF group (21.3% vs 9.1%, P = .024). Conclusion: Given the current prevailing technologies for fracture fixation, this study suggests that surgeons should consider ORIF for unstable ankle fractures in active young patients with Weber type C, pronation-type injury, and comminuted fibular and trimalleolar fractures. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.


2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. e115-e122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian C. M. A. Donken ◽  
Michael H. J. Verhofstad ◽  
Michael J. Edwards ◽  
Cees J. H. M. van Laarhoven

2021 ◽  
pp. 107110072110060
Author(s):  
Michael F. Githens ◽  
Malcolm R. DeBaun ◽  
Kimberly A Jacobsen ◽  
Hunter Ross ◽  
Reza Firoozabadi ◽  
...  

Background: Supination-adduction (SAD) type II ankle fractures can have medial tibial plafond and talar body impaction. Factors associated with the development of posttraumatic arthritis can be intrinsic to the injury pattern or mitigated by the surgeon. We hypothesize that plafond malreducton and talar body impaction is associated with early posttraumatic arthrosis. Methods: A retrospective cohort of skeletally mature patients with SAD ankle fractures at 2 level 1 academic trauma centers who underwent operative fixation were identified. Patients with a minimum of 1-year follow-up were included. The presence of articular impaction identified on CT scan was recorded and the quality of reduction on final intraoperative radiographs was assessed. The primary outcome was radiographic ankle arthrosis (Kellgren-Lawrence 3 or 4), and postoperative complications were documented. Results: A total of 175 SAD ankle fractures were identified during a 10-year period; 79 patients with 1-year follow-up met inclusion criteria. The majority of injuries resulted from a high-energy mechanism. Articular impaction was present in 73% of injuries, and 23% of all patients had radiographic arthrosis (Kellgren-Lawrence 3 or 4) at final follow-up. Articular malreduction, defined by either a gap or step >2 mm, was significantly associated with development of arthrosis. Early treatment failure, infection, and nonunion was rare in this series. Conclusion: Malreduction of articular impaction in SAD ankle fractures is associated with early posttraumatic arthrosis. Recognition and anatomic restoration with stable fixation of articular impaction appears to mitigate risk of posttraumatic arthrosis. Investigations correlating postoperative and long-term radiographic findings to patient-reported outcomes after operative treatment of SAD ankle fractures are warranted. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (13) ◽  
pp. 3155-3164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasanth Seker ◽  
Lisa Hackett ◽  
Patrick H. Lam ◽  
George A.C. Murrell

Background: Massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears are difficult to manage surgically. One technique is to use a synthetic polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch to bridge the tear. However, there is little information regarding the outcomes of this procedure. Purpose: To determine the ≥2-year outcomes of patients for whom synthetic patches were used as tendon substitutes to bridge irreparable rotator cuff defects. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used prospectively collected data. Patients included those with a synthetic patch inserted as an interposition graft for large and/or irreparable rotator cuff tears with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Standardized assessment of shoulder pain, function, range of motion, and strength was performed preoperatively, at 6 and 12 weeks, and at 6 months and ≥2 years. Radiograph and ultrasound were performed preoperatively, at 6 months, and ≥2 years. Results: At a mean of 36 months, 58 of 68 eligible patients were followed up, and 53 of 58 (90%) patches remained in situ. Three patches failed at the patch-tendon interface, while 1 patient (2 shoulders/patches) went on to have reverse total shoulder replacements. Patient-ranked shoulder stiffness ( P < .001), frequency of pain with activity and sleep ( P < .0001), level of pain at rest and overhead ( P < .0001), and overall shoulder function improved from bad to very good ( P < .0001) by 6 months. Supraspinatus (mean ± SEM: 29 ± 16 N to 42 ± 13 N) and external rotation (39 ± 13 N to 59 ± 15 N) strength were the most notable increases at the ≥2-year follow-up ( P < .0001). Passive range of motion also improved by 49% to 67%; forward flexion, from 131° to 171°; abduction, from 117° to 161°; external rotation, from 38° to 55°; and internal rotation, from L3 to T10 ( P < .0001) preoperatively to ≥2 years. The most improvement in passive range of motion occurred between 12 months and ≥2 years. The mean (SD) Constant-Murley score was 90 (12), while the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 95 (8). Conclusion: At 36 months postoperatively, patients who had synthetic patches used as tendon substitutes to bridge irreparable rotator cuff defects reported less pain and greater overall shoulder function as compared with preoperative assessments. They demonstrated improved range of passive motion and improved strength. The data support the hypothesis that the technique of using a synthetic PTFE patch to bridge a large and/or irreparable tear has good construct integrity and improves patient and clinical outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0041
Author(s):  
Derek S. Stenquist ◽  
Brian Velasco ◽  
Patrick K. Cronin ◽  
Jorge Briceno ◽  
Christopher Miller ◽  
...  

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Syndesmotic disruption occurs in nearly 1 in 5 ankle fractures and requires anatomic reduction and internal stabilization to maximize functional outcomes. There is growing evidence to support retaining syndesmotic hardware from both a functional and economic standpoint. However, although broken screws are typically of little consequence, the location of screw breakage can be unpredictable and cause painful bony erosion and difficulty with extraction. The purpose of this investigation is to report early clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation using a novel metal screw with a more predictable break point and design features to allow for easier extraction. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all consecutive patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation utilizing the novel syndesmotic screw over a one year period. Demographic data were obtained such as age, gender, fracture classification and relevant comorbidities. Screw specific data were obtained such as number of screws utilized and length. Screw loosening or breakage was documented. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed and tibiofibular overlap, tibiofibular clear space and medial clear space were measured. Results: 18 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean length of clinical follow-up was 4.67 months (range 0.5 to 8.5 months). Per the Lauge Hansen classification, 14 injuries were supination external rotation type, two were pronation abduction and two pronation external rotation type. Three screws (12.5%) fractured at the break point with no screws fracturing at a different location. 21 screws did not fracture with 10 (42%) of the screws demonstrated to be loose. There was no evidence of syndesmotic diastasis or mortise malalignment on final follow up of the cohort. No screws required removal during the study period. There were no other complications of any type (Table 1). Conclusion: Early reporting of outcomes is essential to maximize both safety and value in healthcare technology innovation. This study provides the first clinical data on a novel alternative to traditional screws and suture button devices for fixation of syndesmotic injuries. At short-term follow up, there were no complications and the novel screw provided adequate fixation to allow healing and prevent diastasis. While initial results are favorable, longer term follow-up is required to determine whether this novel implant can reduce rates of symptomatic hardware requiring removal, which could ultimately make them more cost- effective than suture-button fixation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. 1382-1387 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pierce Ebaugh ◽  
Benjamin Umbel ◽  
David Goss ◽  
Benjamin C. Taylor

Background: Ankle fractures in patients with complicated diabetes have significantly increased the rates of complications and poorer functional outcomes when treated nonoperatively, and there have been only modest reductions when treated operatively. We hypothesized that the minimally invasive, robust construct that tibiotalocalcaneal fixation with an intramedullary nail offers would result in high rates of limb salvage, acceptable rates of complications, and less loss of function, in this difficult patient population. Methods: This was an institutional review board–approved retrospective study of 27 patients with complicated diabetes who underwent tibiotalocalcaneal nailing of their ankle fracture as a primary treatment without formal joint preparation. Patients with complicated diabetes were defined as having neuropathy, nephropathy, and/or peripheral vascular disease. The mean clinical follow-up was 888 days. Patients were screened for associated risk factors. Data were collected on surgical complications. The outcomes measured included length of hospital stay, loss of ambulatory level, amputation, and time to death. The mean age was 66 years with an average body mass index of 38 and hemoglobin A1c of 7.4. Six fractures were open. Results: The limb salvage rate was 96%. The average hospital stay was 6 days, and the mean time to weightbearing was 6.7 weeks. The fracture union rate was 88%. The surgical complication rate was 18.5%, with no instances of malunions, symptomatic nonunions, or Charcot arthropathy. Eight patients died by final follow-up (mean, 1048 days). An ambulatory level was maintained in 81% of the patients. Conclusion: With high limb salvage rates, relatively early weightbearing, maintained ambulatory level, and acceptable complication rates, we believe our technique can be considered an appropriate approach to increase the overall survivability of threatened limbs and lives in this patient population. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashwani Kumar ◽  
Puneet Mishra ◽  
Anupama Tandon ◽  
Rajesh Arora ◽  
Manish Chadha

Background: Conventionally ankle fractures have been classified using plain radiographs. Because of complex 3-dimensional anatomy and complexity of injuries, plain radiographs may not always be able to clearly depict the complete fracture pattern. There is a paucity of studies regarding the utility of computed tomography (CT) scanning in malleolar ankle fractures (MAFs). Hence, we conducted this study to further understand the role of the CT scan in MAFs. Methods: A prospective study of 56 consecutive malleolar ankle fractures was conducted. In the first evaluation by a team of 3 observers, a management plan was made based on plain radiographs. All patients received a CT scan evaluation with a standard protocol. The second evaluation by the same team included formulating an operative plan based on the CT. Results: In 13 (23.2%) cases, the management plan changed after CT evaluation. In most of the cases, the change in the management plan included an alteration in fixation of the posterior malleolus followed by lateral malleolus in 4 cases. Most of the changes took place in AO 44 type C followed by types B and A. Maximum change was noted in trimalleolar fractures followed by bimalleolar and unimalleolar. The most common morphological characteristic fracture identified on CT scan that was not evident on plain radiography was Chaput fracture in 17 cases. Conclusion: CT scan evaluation of MAFs changed the management plan in a significant number of cases, especially if the fractured fragment included a posterior malleolus, AO type C, and/or if 2 or more malleoli were fractured as noted on plain x rays. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.


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