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

Ankle fractures with a posterior malleolus (PM) fragment are a common injury, which often necessitates surgical fixation. Until recently, PM fractures would often be fixed using a percutaneous anterior to posterior (AP) screw, or treated indirectly through fixation of the lateral malleolus relying on ligamentotaxis to reduce the PM. However, in recent years various authors have advocated direct visualisation and anatomical fixation using a posterolateral or posteromedial approach [1 –3]. Biomechanical studies have demonstrated that posterior buttress plate fixation creates a stronger construct than AP screws [4].

Source: Foot and Ankle Surgery - January 18, 2019 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Stephen McHale, Mark Williams, Thomas Ball Source Type: research