What Is the Rate of Displacement of Occult Posterior Malleolus Fractures in Nailed Tibial Shaft Fractures?. Issue 12 (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schiedo, Ryan; Jo, Jacob; Marin, Arden; Fredette, Ryan; Thomas, Ayush; Siegel, Jodi; Swart, Eric
• Is Part Of: Journal of orthopaedic trauma. Volume 36:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 652
• Page End: 657
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: tibia shaft fractures -- advanced imaging -- associated injuries; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Wounds and Injuries -- therapy -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.47044
• DOI: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000002435
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0890-5339

Abstract

Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Abstract : Objective: To describe the radiographic consequences of posterior malleolus fractures (PMF) present with tibial shaft fractures fixed with intramedullary nails. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Level 1 trauma center. Patients/Participants: Seven hundred thirty-three patients with tibial shaft fractures. Intervention: Intramedullary nail fixation and prophylactic articular fixation. Main Outcome Measure: Displacement of PMF with intramedullary nail insertion. Results: Seven hundred thirty-three patients were identified with tibial shaft fractures treated with intramedullary nail fixation at a Level 1 trauma center without a uniform preoperative computed tomography protocol. One hundred thirty-three patients had an identifiable PMF appreciated on preoperative imaging. Of the 600 remaining patients without a known PMF, 29 had PMF identified after nail insertion: 24 patients with nondisplaced fractures that all healed radiographically at final follow-up, 3 patients had fractures <30% of the articular surface displaced 1–2 mm, and 2 patients had fractures >30% of the joint surface that displaced 1–2 mm. Conclusions: The incidence of radiographically observable PMF associated with tibial shaft fractures is high, even without a preoperative computed tomography screening protocol in place. In patients without an appreciable PMF on injury films, less than 1% (2/600) had displacement of a large, clinically significant PMF with nail placement. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.