Treatment of the Trimalleolar Fracture Using Posterolateral Approach: Minimum 2-year Follow Up Results

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyze the long term follow up results of treatment with posterolateral approach and to investigate its usefulness in the patients of trimalleolar fracture with posterior fragment which is above 25% of articular involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 34 cases of trimalleolar fracture in our hospital from May 2004 to April 2008. We investigated 20 patients who underwent operation with the posterolateral approach and over-2 years follow up cases. The mean follow up period was 34 (24~58) months. Preoperative posterior malleolar fragment involved above 25% of articular surface in all cases and displaced more than 2 mm in 11 cases. We analyzed the radiologic type of posterior malleolar fragments and evaluated the function and pain through AOFAS score and complications. RESULTS: All cases showed primary union at mean 13.1 weeks. The complications are that partial ankylosis result of soft tissue contracture is seen in 2 cases (10%) and post-traumatic arthritis is seen in 1 cases (5%) and 17 cases (85%) of all patients are showed excellent AOFAS score. CONCLUSION: The posterolateral approach is a valuable method because that it enables us to easily reduction and internal fixation of the posterior malleolus and lateral malleolus at one time and the results are satisfied for a long time follow up.