TITLE:
The Effect of Percutaneous Screw Fixation of Lateral Malleolus on Ankle Fracture Healing and Function
AUTHORS:
Girgis Latif, Hayder Al-Saadi, Medhat Zekry, Malallah Ali Hassan, Jamal Al Mulla
KEYWORDS:
Ankle Fracture; Lateral Malleolus; Intramedullary Screw
JOURNAL NAME:
Surgical Science,
Vol.4 No.8,
July
25,
2013
ABSTRACT: Purpose: To measure the effectiveness of using percutaneous intramedullary
screw fixation of the lateral malleolus fracture on the healing and functional
outcome of ankle fracture. Materials and
methods: Forty-six patients with Weber A and low Weber B displaced lateral
malleolus fractures who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous internal
fixation with an intramedullary, fully threaded, screw were retrospectively
reviewed. A 3.5-mm, fully threaded, selftapping bone screw
(stainless steel from Pelvic Set Synthes). The length of the
screw varies between 100 mm and 120 mm, depending on the fracture
location and pattern. Results: All fractures united within an average time to union of 8.2 weeks.
In all patients the average time to full weight bearing was 6.8 weeks, whereas
that in patients with isolated lateral malleolus fractures was 4.5 weeks. There
were no deep wound infections or complaints of painful hardware. At latest
follow-up, functional results were excellent in, 25 patients (54.3%) good in 20
(43.5%), fair in (2.2%). Conclusion: If reduction
of the lateral malleolus fracture can be obtained in a closed fashion (with the
aid of an image x-ray intensifier), we believe that fixation may be performed
with an axial screw percutaneously. This technique is quick, safe and easy to
do with less complication.