Treatment strategies for grade Ⅱ supination adduction ankle fractures / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the treatment strategies for grade Ⅱ supination adduction ankle fracture. Methods From March 2003 to September 2008, 32 patients with grade Ⅱ supination adduction ankle fractures were treated surgically. There were 21 males and 11 females, at a mean age of 44.5 years (range, 21-76 years). Three patients had open ankle fractures. Anteromedial approach to the medial malleolus was taken to expose the vertical medial malleolus fractures and tibial plafond for exploring damage to distal articular surface of the tibia and that to cartilage of the talus. Open reduction and internal fixation with impaction of the articular fragment and possible bone grafting were applied to restore the height of the collapsed tibia. Medial mallcolus fractures were anatomically reduced and the intra-articular cartilage debris removed under direct vision. Repair of the lateral ligament injuries was decided acoording to the stability of the ligament. Different internal fixation was chosen according to fracture displacement of the block size and degree of lateral malleolus fractures. Fracture union, internal fixation and osteoarthritis were detected by X-ray examination. The range of ankle motion was measured. Maryland foot score was taken to assess the ankle function.Results Twenty-three patients were followed up postoperatively for a mean period of 27.9 months ( range, 6-47 months). Two prominent screws were removed from one patient five months after operation because of loosening. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients after an average period of 2.9 months ( range, 2.3-5.1 months). X-ray examination revealed no other internal fixation loosening or osteoarthritis. The average range of motion was 13 degrees of dorsiflexion (range, 6-17 degrees) and 36 degrees of plantarflexion (range, 27-46 degrees). According to Maryland foot score, ankle function was excellent in 19 patients and good in four, with excellence rate of 100%.Conclusions Understanding injury mechanism of supination adduction ankle fracture, strengthening the diagnosis and treatment of damage of tibial plafond articular surface height, cartilage and talar articular surface cartilage can effectively reduce the incidence of complications such as osteoarthritis. Anteromedial incision allows excellent exposure of the medial tibial plafond for clearance of intra-articular cartilage pieces, recovery of distal tibial articular surface height and placement of internal fixation.