The clinical feature and treatment strategy of the transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocation / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the clinical features and treatment strategies of the transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocation.Methods:Data of 26 patients of transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocation who were treated in our hospital from December 2013 to November 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 16 men and 10 women with an average age of 49.54±12.81 years (range, 26-68 years). Open injuries in 17 cases, of which the Gustilo-Anderson II type in 6 cases, IIIA type in 11 cases, closed injuries in 9 cases. According to the AO/OTA fracture classification, 44B type in 4 cases, 44C type in 22 cases. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, there were 16 cases of pronation-abduction, 10 cases of pronation-external rotation, including 4 cases of Maisonneuve fractures, and of the 4 cases of Maisonneuve fractures, there were 3 cases of double Maisonneuve fracture. The talar dislocation was anterior, neutral, and posterior within the distal tibiofibular joint in 10 cases, 7 cases, and 9 cases. Fibular fractures in 26 cases, medial malleolar fractures in 24 cases, deltoid ligament rupture in 2 cases, posterior malleolar fractures in 13 cases, and anterior malleolar fractures in 8 cases. All closed injuries were closed reduction and plaster fixation and all open injuries were emergently debridement and reduced under the tibial plafond in the emergency department. Surgical treatment was taken until the soft tissue conditions to be allowed. The reduction quality was assessed by postoperative radiography according to the criteria proposed by Burwell-Charnley. The function of the ankle joint was assessed by the ankle-hindfoot rating system of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and the posttraumatic arthritis and objectively quantified was assessed using the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale.Results:There were 4 cases were unreduced due to the tibial posterior tendon to flip through the ankle joint and dislocate anterior to the tibia through the interosseous membrane. Stabilization of fibular fractures were achieved with plate in 25 cases. There were 24 cases of medial malleolar fractures, and the fixation were achieved with cannulated screws in 23 cases and with K-wire fixation in 1 case. There were 12 cases of posterior malleolar fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation including cannulated screws in 9 cases and antiglide plates in 3 cases. There were 7 cases of anterior malleolar fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation including suture anchors in 1 case and cannulated screws in 6 cases. Stabilization of syndesmosis was achieved with syndesmotic screws in 14 cases and with TightRope in 2 cases. All patients were followed up for 20.23±9.70 months (range, 12-60 months). According to the Burwell-Charnley criteria of reduction quality, anatomic reduction was obtained in 22 cases, and satisfactory reduction was gained in 4 cases. All fractures healed in 16.31±3.64 weeks (range, 10-24 weeks). Functional examination of the ankle joint (angle measurement method) dorsiflexion average angle 10.38°±6.66°, plantarflexion average angle 34.04°±7.20°. At latest follow up, the AOFAS score was 83.30±13.94 (range, 24-100). Ten (38%) of 26 patients had radiographic evidence of posttraumatic ankle arthritis. According to the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale criteria, there were grade I in 5 cases, II in 2 cases, III in 2 cases, and IV in 1 case. 2 cases of wound dishence were recovered through changing dressing and 2 cases of skin necrosis were recovered by skin graft and flap transposition respectively. There were no significant complications such as infection, nonunion, or implant failure.Conclusion:The transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocation, represents an exceptional pattern of high-energy fractures with significant syndesmotic disruption, and potential soft tissue compromise. Careful attention to radiographic findings can identify unique fracture characteristics relative to operative decision-making. Tibialis posterior tendon dislocation, a rare complication in the transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocation injuries, can impede anatomical reduction of the ankle mortise. The open reduction and internal fixation may be an optimal approach to treat transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocation injuries. However, the rate of posttraumatic arthritis is relatively high.