ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study a kind of surgical instrument for the treatment of ankle fractures in elderly patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From October 2007 to May 2009, 14 patients (9 males and 5 females,ranging in age from 58 to 81 years, averaged 69.3 years) with ankle joint fractures of type A and B were treated with modified 1/3 tubular plate combined with lag screws. According to the Danis-Weber classification, 6 patients were type A and 8 patients were type B. The AOFAS criteria was used to evaluate clinical effects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up ranged from 12 to 18 months and healed. The time of union of fractures ranged from 10 to 16 weeks. According to the clinical assess standard of AOFAS, the average score was 88.0 +/- 2.1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is one of good choices to use modified 1/3 tubular plate and lag screws to treat ankle joint fractures in elder patients.</p>