ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: A distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury with an ankle fracture is usually fixed with syndesmotic screws. Knotless Tightrope® has been used as an alternative procedure because of the fewer reported complications. Therefore, this study compared the two surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients, who underwent syndesmotic screw fixation, and 34 patients, who underwent Knotless Tightrope® fixation for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury from February 2014 to February 2016, were analyzed retrospectively. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, range of motion of ankle at 1 year after surgery, tibiofibular clear space, and tibiofibular interval at preoperative, postoperative and 1 year after surgery were investigated. RESULTS: The VAS score, AOFAS score and radiographs were similar in the two groups. Knotless Tightrope® showed better results in complications and plantarflexion. CONCLUSION: Knotless Tightrope® fixation is a useful treatment that does not show a difference in fixation strength and clinical outcome. Knotless Tightrope® fixation also has an advantage in the range of motion and complications.