Trimalleolar fracture: The endless posterior malleolus fracture debate, to repair or not to repair?

Insights into optimal surgical fixation for posterior malleolar fractures

Aims

The optimal management of posterior malleolar ankle fractures, a prevalent type of ankle trauma, is essential for improved prognosis. However, there remains a debate over the most effective surgical approach, particularly between screw and plate fixation methods. This study aims to investigate the differences in outcomes associated with these fixation techniques.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive review of clinical trials comparing anteroposterior (A-P) screws, posteroanterior (P-A) screws, and plate fixation. Two investigators validated the data sourced from multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science). Following PRISMA guidelines, we carried out a network meta-analysis (NMA) using visual analogue scale and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included range of motion limitations, radiological outcomes, and complication rates.

Results

The NMA encompassed 13 studies, consisting of four randomized trials and eight retrospective ones. According to the surface under the cumulative ranking curve-based ranking, the A-P screw was ranked highest for improvements in AOFAS and exhibited lowest in infection and peroneal nerve injury incidence. The P-A screws, on the other hand, excelled in terms of VAS score improvements. Conversely, posterior buttress plate fixation showed the least incidence of osteoarthritis grade progression, postoperative articular step-off ≥ 2 mm, nonunions, and loss of ankle dorsiflexion ≥ 5°, though it underperformed in most other clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

The NMA suggests that open plating is more likely to provide better radiological outcomes, while screw fixation may have a greater potential for superior functional and pain results. Nevertheless, clinicians should still consider the fragment size and fracture pattern, weighing the advantages of rigid biomechanical fixation against the possibility of soft-tissue damage, to optimize treatment results.

Operative treatment results of posterior malleolar fractures in trimalleolar fractures with screw fixation and plate fixation: short-term results

BACKGROUND

Ankle fractures are among the most common lower limb fractures. There is no agreement about the best treatment for these fractures. This study compared the short-term results of screw and plate fixation methods.

METHODS

In this prospective study, 32 patients that underwent screw fixation for posterior malleolar fracture and 32 patients that underwent plate fixation for posterior malleolar fracture were assessed 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The mean age in group 1 (screw fixation) and group 2 (plate fixation) was 32.56, and 37.82 ± 9.99, respectively. The frequency of gender in group 1 (screw fixation) and group 2 (plate fixation) for females and males was 20%, 80%, 4%, and 18%, respectively. The mean range of motion (ROM) in month 1 in group 1 was 89.4, in group 2 was 90.22, in month 3 in group 1 was 100.6, in group 2 was 100.36, in month 6 in group 1 was 115.4, and in group 2 was 110.68. The mean visual analog scale (VAS) in month 1 in group 1 was 6.88, in group 2 was 6.09, in month 3 in group 1 was 4.14, in group 2 was 3.63, in month 6 in group 1 was 2.56, and in group 2 was 2.54. In group 1, we had 1 case of nerve injury, 1 case of deep infection, and 3 cases of superficial infection, and in group 2, we had 2 cases of nerve injury, 2 cases of deep infection, and no case of superficial infection. The mean foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS) in group 1 was 75.44, and in group 2 was 74.36.

CONCLUSION

In our study, we were unable to indicate a superior treatment method. More comprehensive studies with larger populations are suggested.

Comprehensive Physiotherapy Protocol in Post-operative Case of Trimalleolar Fracture: A Case Report

A common ankle fracture that can have major consequences and expensive medical bills is the trimalleolar fracture. The trimalleolar fracture is the least frequent type of ankle fracture. The number of afflicted malleoli, the kind of fracture of the lateral and medial malleolus and the congruence of the ankle joint were all examined in detail for the trimalleolar ankle fracture. This type of fracture is brought on by high-energy trauma. In this case report, we describe a 56-year-old female patient who was involved in a road traffic accident. After being taken to the hospital for further examination, her ankle fracture was determined to be a trimalleolar one. She had an internal fixation with canulated cancellous screws and nails for open reduction. For such patients, we designed a physiotherapy course based on early rehabilitation and sensorimotor retraining to help with proprioception training, gait training and lower-limb muscular strength training. The lower limb's strength and range of motion were improved with the treatment. The outcomes used were the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), functional independence measure (FIM), lower-extremity functional scale (LEFS), range of motion (ROM), gait parameters and manual muscle testing (MMT).

Clinical effects of 3D printing-assisted posterolateral incision in the treatment of ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus

Objective

To explore the clinical outcomes of a 3D printing-assisted posterolateral approach for the treatment of ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus.

Methods

A total of 51 patients with ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 were selected. The patients were divided into 3D printing group (28 cases) and control group (23 cases). 3D printing was performed for ankle fractures, followed by printing of a solid model and simulation of the operation on the 3D model. The operation was then performed according to the preoperative plan, including open reduction and internal fixation via the posterolateral approach with the patient in the prone position. Routine x-ray and CT examinations of the ankle joint were performed, and ankle function was evaluated using the American Foot and Ankle Surgery Association (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score.

Results

All patients underwent x-ray and CT examinations. All fractures healed clinically, without loss of reduction or failure of internal fixation. Good clinical effects were achieved in both groups of patients. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss and intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency in the 3D printing group were significantly less than those in the control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the anatomical reduction rate of fractures or the incidence of surgical complications (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The 3D printing-assisted posterolateral approach is effective in the treatment of ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus. The approach can be well planned before the operation, is simple to perform, yields good fracture reduction and fixation, and has good prospects for clinical application.

Trimalleolar Fractures Treated by Open Reduction Internal Fixation Compared With Arthroscopically Assisted Reduction and Minimally Invasive Surgery

BACKGROUND

Currently, the standard of treatment for trimalleolar (TM) fracture is osteosynthesis through open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). This study assessed whether arthroscopically assisted reduction and minimally invasive surgery (AARMIS) can be an alternative surgical method for TM fractures.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included 49 patients with TM that were surgically treated. 27 patients received ORIF and 22 patients underwent AARMIS . At baseline, we recorded the patient's demographic features, fracture pattern (AO-OTA and Haraguchi classification), and surgical method. For postoperative results, we examined the patient's radiographic outcome, including time to union, quality of fracture reduction, as well as functional outcomes (American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle hindfoot score, ankle range of motion, and visual analog scale of pain) and perioperative complications.

RESULTS

At mean follow-up of 46.6±24.6 (ORIF) and 36.4±18.5 months (AARMIS), both groups had comparable radiographic outcomes. No significant difference in rates of early ankle OA were detected. In terms of functional outcome, VAS pain and AOFAS score at postoperative day 3, postoperative month 3, and at final follow-up were not different. In terms of range of motion, we did not find a significant difference in mean range of motion.

CONCLUSION

Patients with TM fractures treated with AARMIS achieved satisfactory results and was not significantly different in radiographic and functional performance compared with ORIF.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Direct versus indirect posterior malleolar fixation in the treatment of trimalleolar ankle fractures: Is there a difference in outcomes?

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in functional outcomes between direct and indirect surgical fixation methods of the posterior malleolus in the setting of trimalleolar fractures and identify any variables affecting patient outcomes.

METHODS

Primary outcomes were evaluated by PROMIS scores for short-term outcomes regarding total pain (TP) and total function (TF) comparing 40 patients with direct fixation with 77 with indirect fixation. Continuous variables were analyzed using t tests for parametric variables and the Mann-Whitney U test for nonparametric variables. Categorical variables were analyzed using a χ² test. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were performed to analyze factors that affect outcomes of TP and TF.

RESULTS

There was no difference in TP or TF between groups (P = 0.65 vs. P = 0.19). On univariate linear regression for TP, BMI, incidence of complication, tobacco use, and open injury showed significance in increasing pain levels with open injuries providing the greatest effect (coef = 11.8). On multivariate analysis, BMI, incidence of complication, open injury, and tourniquet time all significantly increased pain. For TF, univariate analysis showed age, BMI, incidence of complication, and diabetes to decrease function, and use of external fixator and tourniquet time increased function. In the multivariate model, increased BMI, open injuries, and increasing tourniquet time all decreased TF while use of an external fixator increased TF.

CONCLUSION

This study showed no difference in TP and TF using the PROMIS outcome scores when comparing direct fixation versus indirect fixation under univariate and multivariate models.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic III.

What Is the Rate of Displacement of Occult Posterior Malleolus Fractures in Nailed Tibial Shaft Fractures?

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.

Unstable Rotational Ankle Fractures Treated With Anatomic Mortise Repair and Direct Posterior Malleolus Fixation

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient outcomes following a standardized algorithmic approach to ankle mortise stabilization, following rotational fracture, utilizing direct repair of the posterior malleolus in the prone position. Methods: Eighty consecutive patients with unstable rotational ankle fractures that involved the posterior malleolus were analyzed. All underwent direct repair of the posterior malleolus regardless of size through a posterolateral approach. Electronic records were retrospectively reviewed for demographic information, initial injury and operation details, healing status, and complications. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were obtained to assess the initial injury and healing was determined both by radiographic and clinical progress at follow-up visits. Results: Average posterior malleolus fragment width was 8.1 ± 3.7 mm (range = 2.1-19.9 mm) and percentage of the articular surface was 23.6% (range = 7.1%-56.7%) on the lateral radiograph. Overall, 80/80 (100%) patients healed their ankle fractures by a mean 2.9 ± 1.1 months. Only 1 (1.3%) patient required transsyndesmotic fixation following posterior malleolus repair. Mean range of ankle motion was as follows: dorsiflexion 20° ± 10°, plantarflexion 34° ± 10°, inversion 8° ± 4°, and eversion 7° ± 4°. Seventy-nine patients (98.8%) had an anatomic mortise reduction. Nine patients (11.3%) had a superficial wound complication, 3 patients (3.8%) had dysesthesia in the sural nerve distribution, and 1 patient (1.3%) lost reduction of the medial malleolus. Conclusion: Patients who undergo direct repair of the posterior malleolus in the prone position can expect a high rate of healing with superficial wound breakdown being the biggest problem, which was associated with an ankle fracture dislocation. Posterior malleolus fixation may obviate the need of transsyndesmotic stabilization.Levels of Evidence: Retrospective Level IV.

Fractures of the lateral malleolus - a retrospective before-and-after study of treatment and resource utilization following the implementation of a structured treatment algorithm

Background

In 2015 a study of isolated lateral malleolar fractures (AO/OTA44-B1) treated at Sahlgrenska University hospital (SU) during two consecutive years revealed large-scale variation in the choice of treatment and planned follow-up. The study resulted in the development of a structured treatment algorithm (TA) for ankle fractures. We investigated the effects of this well-implemented TA on the classification, treatment and follow-up of lateral malleolar fractures.

Methods

The current study is an uncontrolled, non-randomized, retrospective before-and-after study comparing a group of AO/OTA44-B1 fractures treated at SU before the introduction of the TA for ankle fractures (1 April 2012 to 31 March 2014) with a group treated after the introduction of the TA (1 September 2017 to 31 August 2019).

Results

In all the studied parameters regarding treatment for AO/OTA44-B1 fractures, a statistically significant change was seen after the introduction of the TA. Surgical treatment reduced from 32% (95% CI 27.5 – 36.5) pre-TA to 10% (95% CI 6.9 – 13.1) post-TA, while the number of patients permitted full weight-bearing increased from 41% (95% CI 36.3 – 45.7) to 84% (95% CI 80.1 – 87.9).

Conclusions

A thoroughly implemented treatment algorithm can reduce the number of surgical treatments for stable ankle fractures. The current study demonstrates that a structured treatment algorithm can standardize the management of ankle fractures and make decisions less dependent on the surgeon’s discretion.