A Retrospective Analysis of Distal Fibula Fractures Treated With Intramedullary Fibular Nail Fixation. 2023

Jaclyn Schumann, and Brian Burgess, and Daniel Ryan, and David Garras
Foot and Ankle Fellow, Hinsdale Orthopaedics a Division of Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, Joliet, IL. Electronic address: jaclyn.schumann@my.rfums.org.

There is growing literature supporting the use of intramedullary fixation for fracture care because of its smaller incisions, improved biomechanical outcomes, and faster time to weightbearing than traditional internal fixation methods. The aim of this study is to investigate the postoperative outcomes in ankle fractures treated with intramedullary nail fixation in the largest patient cohort to date. From 2015 to 2021, 151 patients were evaluated following surgical treatment of fibular fractures with intramedullary nail fixation. Patients were identified through a medical record database search for appropriate ankle fracture procedure codes. Patient information was reviewed for fracture type, adjunct procedures, time to weightbearing and postoperative complications. Radiographs were assessed for quality and time to radiographic union. The mean time to weightbearing was 4.8 weeks. Minor wound dehiscence was identified in 2 patients (1.3%). Superficial infection was present in 4 patients (2.6%) and a deep infection developed in 2 patients (1.3%). Two patients developed a nonunion (1.5%). There were no DVTs reported, although 1 patient developed a PE postoperatively. Radiographic quality of reduction and time to union is comparable to literature reported plate and screw construct outcomes. Reduction was classified as good in 86.1% of patients and radiographic union was appreciated in 98.5% of patients. This is the largest cohort study evaluating the outcomes of intramedullary nail fixation for ORIF of ankle fractures. These data reinforce that intramedullary nailing provides a minimally invasive approach with accurate anatomic reduction, excellent fracture union rates, low complication rates, and an early return to weightbearing.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011183 Postoperative Complications Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery. Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D001858 Bone Nails Rods of bone, metal, or other material used for fixation of the fragments or ends of fractured bones. Bone Pins,Bone Nail,Bone Pin,Nail, Bone,Nails, Bone,Pin, Bone,Pins, Bone
D001860 Bone Plates Implantable fracture fixation devices attached to bone fragments with screws to bridge the fracture gap and shield the fracture site from stress as bone heals. (UMDNS, 1999) Bone Plate,Plate, Bone,Plates, Bone
D005360 Fibula The bone of the lower leg lateral to and smaller than the tibia. In proportion to its length, it is the most slender of the long bones. Fibulas
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
D005594 Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary The use of nails that are inserted into bone cavities in order to keep fractured bones together. Intramedullary Nailing,Nailing, Intramedullary,Osteosynthesis, Fracture, Intramedullary,Fixation, Intramedullary Fracture,Fixations, Intramedullary Fracture,Fracture Fixations, Intramedullary,Intramedullary Fracture Fixation,Intramedullary Fracture Fixations,Intramedullary Nailings,Nailings, Intramedullary
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000092504 Fibula Fractures Fractures of the FIBULA. Fibula Shaft Fractures,Maisonneuve Fracture,Maisonneuve Fracture Dislocation,Dislocation, Maisonneuve Fracture,Fibula Fracture,Fibula Shaft Fracture,Fracture Dislocation, Maisonneuve,Fracture, Fibula,Fracture, Fibula Shaft,Fracture, Maisonneuve,Shaft Fracture, Fibula
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
D015331 Cohort Studies Studies in which subsets of a defined population are identified. These groups may or may not be exposed to factors hypothesized to influence the probability of the occurrence of a particular disease or other outcome. Cohorts are defined populations which, as a whole, are followed in an attempt to determine distinguishing subgroup characteristics. Birth Cohort Studies,Birth Cohort Study,Closed Cohort Studies,Cohort Analysis,Concurrent Studies,Historical Cohort Studies,Incidence Studies,Analysis, Cohort,Cohort Studies, Closed,Cohort Studies, Historical,Studies, Closed Cohort,Studies, Concurrent,Studies, Historical Cohort,Analyses, Cohort,Closed Cohort Study,Cohort Analyses,Cohort Studies, Birth,Cohort Study,Cohort Study, Birth,Cohort Study, Closed,Cohort Study, Historical,Concurrent Study,Historical Cohort Study,Incidence Study,Studies, Birth Cohort,Studies, Cohort,Studies, Incidence,Study, Birth Cohort,Study, Closed Cohort,Study, Cohort,Study, Concurrent,Study, Historical Cohort,Study, Incidence

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