Z Orthop Unfall 2021; 159(03): 323-331
DOI: 10.1055/a-1079-6476
Miscellaneous/Sonstige

Early Corrections after Failed Ankle Fracture Fixation

Article in several languages: English | deutsch
Christine Marx
UniversitätsCentrum für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (OUC), Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden
,
Klaus Dieter Schaser
UniversitätsCentrum für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (OUC), Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden
,
Stefan Rammelt
UniversitätsCentrum für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie (OUC), Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Even minor residual fragment malpositioning after internal fixation of ankle fractures is associated with a worse prognosis. Frequent causes for non-anatomical reduction are fibular shortening due to comminuted fractures or poor bone quality, translational or rotational malpositioning of the distal fibula within the tibial incisura with unstable syndesmosis injuries, and inadequately addressed bony avulsions of the tibiofibular syndesmosis. After operative treatment of fracture dislocations with syndesmotic fixation, in case of complex fracture pathoanatomy, and with suspected non-anatomic reduction in postoperative radiographs, computed tomography imaging of both ankles should be performed. Correction of relevant malreductions should be performed as early as possible in order to speed up rehabilitation and to avoid late sequelae due to a load shift or instability in a weight-bearing joint.



Publication History

Article published online:
10 February 2020

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