Surgery versus non-operative treatment for ER-stress unstable Weber-B unimalleolar fractures: a study protocol for a prospective randomized non-inferiority (Super-Fin) trial

Roughly two-thirds of ankle fractures are unimalleolar injuries, the Weber B-type fibula fracture being by far the most common type. Depending on the trauma and the accompanying soft-tissue injury, these fractures are either stable or unstable. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend surgical treatment for unstable Weber B-type fibula fractures. An ongoing randomized, parallel group, non-inferiority trial comparing surgery and non-operative treatment for unstable Weber B-type ankle fractures with allocation ratio 1:1. The rationale for non-inferiority design is as follows: By being able to prove non-inferiority of non-operative treatment, we would be able to avoid complications related to surgery. However, the primary concern related to non-operative treatment is increased risks of ankle mortise incongruency, leading to secondary surgery, early post-traumatic osteoarthritis and poor function. After providing informed consent, 126 patients aged 16 years or older with an unimalleolar Weber B-type unstable fibula fracture were randomly assigned to surgery (open reduction and internal fixation) or non-operative treatment (6-week cast immobilization). We have completed the patient enrolment and are currently in the final stages of the 2-year follow-up. The primary, non-inferiority outcome is the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) at 2 years (primary time point). The predefined non-inferiority margin is set at 8 OMAS points. Secondary outcomes include the Foot and Ankle Score, a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale for function and pain, the RAND-36-Item Health Survey for health-related quality-of-life, the range-of-motion of the injured ankle, malunion (ankle joint incongruity) and fracture union. Treatment-related complications and harms; symptomatic non-unions, loss of congruity of the ankle joint, reoperations and wound infections will also be recorded. We hypothesize that non-operative treatment yields non-inferior functional outcome to surgery, the current standard treatment, with no increased risk of harms.

Physiotherapy Rehabilitation in Post Operative Tibia- Fibula Fracture with External Fixators

Introduction: A tibia - fibula fracture occurs when a fall or trauma to the lower extremities puts more tension on the bones than they can tolerate. Diaphyseal tibial fractures are the most common long bone fracture. Lower extremity Tibia and fibula fractures are examples of fractures. Tibial shaft fractures are most typically associated with a history of severe trauma. The tibia is the most commonly fractured bone in the lower extremity. The bone's shaft is in the middle Fibula fractures are usually, but not always, accompanied by tibial shaft fractures. Case Presentation: At the previous 15 days, a 49-year-old male patient accounted in a hospital with a road traffic accident. Discussion: The physiotherapy was given to this patient for muscle energy technique resulting in a high degree of range of motion in the lower extremity, reduce pain, and improves flexibility and strength. Conclusion: Physiotherapy has a significant effect on pain, strength, and range of motion. The result of this case report specifies that it may be effective for pain relief, improvement in strength, and functional ability.

Lateral Locking Plate Fixation of Simple Weber B Fibula Fractures Without a Lag Screw Yields Excellent Radiographic Results

Background The most common first-line fixation technique for simple Weber B fibula fractures is a lag screw with lateral neutralization plate. The most common surgical technique for unstable Weber B fibula fracture is one-third semi-tubular plate and cortical screws, implemented with lag screw when appropriate. However, the lag technique can be technically challenging in osteoporotic bone or within fibulas of smaller diameter, and in some cases can result in fragmentation at the fracture site, malreduction, or peroneal irritation. The purpose of this study is to examine an alternative first-line method for routine treatment of simple Weber B fibula fractures. Methods Fifty-two consecutive patients undergoing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of a Weber B fibula fracture by a single surgeon were included in this retrospective study. After reduction, a lateral locking plate was applied with cortical screws proximally and locking screws distally. No screw crossed the fracture in any case. Per published precedent, nonunion was defined as either a gap of >3 mm between fracture surfaces >6 months postoperatively or a fracture line >2 to 3 mm wide and sclerosing of the fracture surfaces. Similarly, malunion was defined as one or more of the following: talar tilt >2º, talar subluxation >2 mm, or tibiofibular clear space ≥5 mm. Results The mean (± standard deviation) age of the 52 included patients was 44.2 ± 16.2 years, the mean body mass index was 27.7 ± 6.6 kg/m2, and 63.5% of patients identified themselves as female sex. The mean follow-up was 6.2 (range: 1.5-15) months. In addition to undergoing fixation of the lateral malleolus, 21 patients also underwent fixation of the posterior malleolus, 27 underwent fixation of the medial malleolus, 29 underwent fixation across the syndesmosis, and 7 underwent repair of the deltoid. In all patients, bony anatomic union of the fibula and congruence of the mortise were achieved with no cases of malunion or nonunion. Conclusions The Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) fixation technique for simple Weber B fractures with a lag screw and lateral neutralization plating has provided good outcomes for decades. We present an alternative technique for ORIF of these fractures with a lateral locking plate and no lag screw. In our series, we evaluated radiographic union and alignment as our primary outcome measures and found no cases of nonunion or malunion. Prospective cohort testing of lateral locking plates versus traditional fixation in the context of patient-centered value is warranted. Level of Evidence: Level III

Core-binding factor beta is required for osteoblast differentiation during fibula fracture healing

Background Growing evidence has implicated core-binding factor beta (Cbfb) as a contributor to osteoblast differentiation, which plays a key role in fracture healing. Herein, we aimed to assess whether Cbfb affects osteoblast differentiation after fibula fracture. Methods Initially, we established a Cbfb conditional knockout mouse model for subsequent studies. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and collagen II in the fracture end. Next, we isolated and cultured osteoblasts from specific Cbfb conditional knockout mice for BrdU analysis, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, and von Kossa staining to detect osteoblast viability, differentiation, and mineralization, respectively. Western blot analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the expression of osteoblast differentiation-related genes. Results The Cbfb conditional knockout mice exhibited downregulated expression of PCNA and collagen II, reduced ALP activity, and mineralization, as well as diminished expression of osteoblast differentiation-related genes. Further, Cbfb knockout exerted no obvious effects on osteoblast proliferation. Conclusions Overall, these results substantiated that Cbfb could promote fibula fracture healing and osteoblast differentiation and thus provided a promising therapeutic target for clinical treatment of fibula fracture.

Extra-articular distal tibia fibula fracture managed with single posterolateral approach: a case report

<p class="abstract">Extra-articular distal tibia fractures involve distal tibia approximately 4 cm within tibia plafond with no articular extension. The proper preoperative care, planning and selection of surgical approach is very essential to prevent postoperative wound-related complications. We present a case of a 29 year female patient, presented with left ankle pain and swelling with a wound over the medial aspect of the ankle. X-ray of the left ankle showed extra-articular distal tibia fibula fracture with no neurovascular deficit. We managed both the fractures with open reduction and internal fixation using a single posterolateral approach. At present 1 year follow-up, the patient is having a good range of ankle motion with radiological union with no implant failure and wound-related complications. Extra-articular distal tibia fibula fracture fixation using single posterolateral approach is a viable alternative approach to medial or anterolateral approach in cases of medial or anterior soft tissue problems. It helps in getting a better functional outcome, early mobilisation with less wound-related complications.</p>