Comparing Functional Outcomes After Injury-Specific Fixation of Posterior Malleolar Fractures and Equivalent Ligamentous Injuries in Rotational Ankle Fractures. Issue 4 (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Levack, Ashley E.; Warner, Stephen J.; Gausden, Elizabeth B.; Helfet, David L.; Lorich, Dean G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of orthopaedic trauma. Volume 32:Issue 4(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Wounds and Injuries -- therapy -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.47044
• DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000001104
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0890-5339

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To evaluate the effect of posterior bony versus ligamentous injury pattern on functional outcomes in operatively treated rotational ankle fractures. Design: Retrospective cohort analysis of prospective registry. Setting: Academic Level I trauma center. Patients/Participants: Operatively treated supination external rotation IV and pronation external rotation IV ankle fractures. Intervention: Lateral malleolus plate fixation with either posterior malleolus (PM) plate fixation or posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL) repair. Main Outcome Measurements: Foot and ankle outcome scores at minimum 12 months postoperatively. Results: One hundred seventy-eight fractures were treated with injury-specific anatomic fixation of a PM fracture (n = 122) or torn PITFL (n = 56). The PM group was significantly older, contained more women, and had lower mean body mass index versus the PITFL group. There was a higher rate of medial malleolar fracture in the PM group; other fracture and baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Univariate and multivariable analysis revealed no difference in foot and ankle outcome scores for any of the 5 summary domains (symptoms, pain, activities of daily living, sports, or quality of life) at the time of most recent follow-up. The median length of follow-up was 16.3 and 12.8 months in the PM and PITFL groups, respectively. Conclusions: In our cohort of ankle fractures, we have demonstrated comparable outcomes in stage IV rotational ankle fractures with and without PM fractures, indicating that the presence of a PM fracture may not result in inferior outcomes compared with ligamentous equivalent injuries if these fractures are addressed in an injury-specific manner. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.