Retrospective cohort study of operatively treated ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus. 2020

Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, TQ2 7AA, UK. Electronic address: stephenmchale@nhs.net.

BACKGROUND Direct fixation of the posterior malleolus through a posterolateral approach is increasing in popularity. However, data is limited, and no studies have stratified results by posterior malleolus size. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of patients with posterior malleolus (PM) fractures undergoing internal fixation over an 18-month period was conducted. Radiographic and patient reported outcomes measures (PROMs) were assessed. 75 patients were included, and 31 returned Manchester-Oxford Foot and Ankle (MOXFQ), EQ-5D-3 L, 5-point Likert satisfaction questionnaires. Mean age was 56.2 years, 68% were female, mean ASA was 1.72, 6.7% were diabetic, and average surgical time was 75.7 min (±40.9). RESULTS Overall, the MOXFQ summary score was 26.9 (±25.8), with the pain domain showing the most severe score 32.4 (±24.0). The EQ-5D VAS index was 0.75 (±0.24). Larger PM size was associated with more anatomical reduction (58.8%, n = 20 of <10% vs. 90.9%, n = 10 of >30%) and larger sized fragments were more likely to be fixed posteriorly. Best PROMs were observed in PM fragments <10%, and the worst in fragments 10-20%. A tendency towards more secondary surgery was observed with posterior subluxation 21.9% (n = 7) vs. 7.0% (n = 3) (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Patients with fragments >10% have an intra-articular injury. We recommend direct anatomic reduction and rigid internal fixation. METHODS Level III, retrospective comparative study.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D011795 Surveys and Questionnaires Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions. Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D005260 Female Females
D005593 Fracture Fixation, Internal The use of internal devices (metal plates, nails, rods, etc.) to hold the position of a fracture in proper alignment. Osteosynthesis, Fracture,Fixation, Internal Fracture,Fixations, Internal Fracture,Fracture Fixations, Internal,Fracture Osteosyntheses,Fracture Osteosynthesis,Internal Fracture Fixation,Internal Fracture Fixations,Osteosyntheses, Fracture
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective
D016059 Range of Motion, Articular The distance and direction to which a bone joint can be extended. Range of motion is a function of the condition of the joints, muscles, and connective tissues involved. Joint flexibility can be improved through appropriate MUSCLE STRETCHING EXERCISES. Passive Range of Motion,Joint Flexibility,Joint Range of Motion,Range of Motion,Flexibility, Joint

Related Publications

Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
April 2021, Foot & ankle international,
Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
September 2012, International orthopaedics,
Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
September 2014, Foot & ankle international,
Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
January 2018, Indian journal of orthopaedics,
Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
December 2017, Foot & ankle international,
Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
January 2023, Foot & ankle orthopaedics,
Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
December 2023, International orthopaedics,
Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
January 2024, Clinics in podiatric medicine and surgery,
Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
August 2022, Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery,
Stephen McHale, and Mark Williams, and Thomas Ball
June 2019, Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery,
Copied contents to your clipboard!