ABSTRACT
Logsplitter injury is an ankle joint injury caused by high-energyaxial violence with significant separation of inferior tibiofibularsyndesmosis. Surgery is the mainstay treatment. The fractureshould be treated in stages depending on the condition of thesoft tissue. The integrity and smoothness of the ankle jointsurface should be restored as much as possible during thesurgery. This article discusses the treatment strategies oflogsplitter injuries. Thorough research of the availableliteratures was done aiming to provide a standard treatmentprotocol. When combined with posterior malleolus fracture,anatomical reduction of posterior malleolus is necessary toreconstruct posterior tibial notch and then lateral malleolus.This reduction sequence is very important. Anatomical lockingplates have been widely used in the fixation of fibular fractures.Anatomical reduction and fixation of the inferior tibiofibularsyndesmosis is the key factor to achieve good functionalresults. There are still some controversies on how to accuratelyjudge the stability of the inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis.Screws are the main method of fixing the inferior tibiofibularsyndesmosis at present. Ankle arthroplasty or anklearthrodesis may be necessary if the cartilage of the ankle jointis extensively damaged or if the ankle joint is severelycomminuted. At present, the therapeutic and prognostic effectsof these injuries are poor. The main influencing factors includethe degree of injury, anatomical reduction of the fracture anddislocation, recovery of ankle stability and the reconstruction ofankle joint surface.