High-Energy Transsyndesmotic Ankle Fracture Dislocation-Injury Characteristics, Radiographic Outcomes, and Factors Affecting the Rate of Posttraumatic Arthritis in Logsplitter Injuries.
J Orthop Trauma 2022;
36:152-156. [PMID:
34294667 DOI:
10.1097/bot.0000000000002237]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To investigate patient demographics, injury characteristics, radiographic outcomes, and identify risk factors for developing posttraumatic arthritis in high-energy transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocations or "logsplitter" injuries.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study.
SETTING
Academic level one trauma center.
PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS
Twenty-seven adult patients with logsplitter injuries.
INTERVENTION
All patients were treated with open reduction internal fixation, with possible addition of syndesmosis screw(s) and deltoid repair.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS
The rate of posttraumatic arthritis at one year along with rate and reasons for reoperation.
RESULTS
Twenty-seven patients were included with a mean follow-up of 14.5 ± 12.5 months. At one-year postoperative, 14 of the 20 patients (70%) demonstrated posttraumatic arthritis. Two patients (7.4%) went onto fusion. The reoperation rate was 51.9%. There was no significant difference in the arthritis rate with the number of syndesmosis screws used, quality of reduction, or addition of deltoid repair.
CONCLUSIONS
The logsplitter injury is one with devastating outcomes and high rates of arthritis; it should be considered separately from conventional ankle fractures. The role of deltoid repair remains unclear. Further study of this injury pattern is required.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Collapse