ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Chirurgia Del Piede 2008 December;32(3):105-8

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Surgical treatment of the isolated fractures of the lateral malleolus

Specchiulli F., Gabrieli R., Di Carlo V.

Cattedra di Ortopedia e Traumatologia Università degli Studi di Foggia Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia Foggia, Italia

Aim. This retrospective study concerns the management of the isolated fracture of the lateral malleolus with talar displacement.
Methods. After a mean follow-up of 4 years and 5 months, the Cedell criteria and the Ankle-Hindfoot Scale of AOFAS were used for a subjective and objective evaluation of results.
Results. Good results were obtained in 21 out of 30 patients submitted to surgery (70%) with a mean score of 79p.
Conclusion. We can conclude that fractures of the lateral malleolus alone are unstable if either the deltoid or anterior tibio-fibular ligaments are torn. If talar displacement occurs open reduction and internal fixation of the lateral malleolus are recommended. The suture of deltoid ligament is not always necessary. The use of syndesmosis protection screw is indicated only when fracture of the fibula is more than 3,5-4,5 cm from the joint surface.