EVALUATION OF RESULTS OF OPEN REDUCTION AND INTERNAL FIXATION OF POSTERIOR MALLEOLUS FRACTURES THROUGH POSTEROLATERAL APPROACH

Document Type : Preliminary preprint short reports of original research

Authors

1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

2 Ortopedic surgery,Alexandria University

3 Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Ankle fractures are one of the most common injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons with an increasing incidence in the elderly.
Ankle fractures can be classified by Danis-weber or lauge-hansen or AO/OTA classification. Posterior malleolus fractures are always associated with other malleolar fractures (bimalleolar or trimalleolar ). Isolated posterior malleolus fractures are uncommon.
Posterior malleolus fractures can be treated conservatively or surgically according to stability of the ankle and displacement of the fragment. Fixation of posterior malleolus is very important for the stability of syndesmosis as the posterior inferior tibiofibular(PITFL) ligament is attached to it.
Posterolateral approach helps in anatomical reduction of posterior malleolus and fixation of lateral malleolus in bimalleolar or trimalleolar ankle fractures through the same incision.
Posterolateral approach has low incidence for skin or deep infection due to good soft tissue coverage. Anatomical reduction of posterior malleolus decrease ankle arthritis later on with better functional outcome.
AIM OF THE WORK
The aim of this study was to evaluate the functionaland radiological outcomes of patients with surgically fixed posterior malleolus fracture through posterolateral approach of the ankle.

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