Treatment of Ankle Lateral Malleolar Fractures Accompanying Osteoporosis using Lag Screw / 대한족부족관절학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of ankle lateral malleolar fractures classified as Danis-Weber type B accompanying osteoporosis that were treated with lag screw. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 cases of Danis-Weber type B ankle lateral malleolar fractures that had T score of less than -2.5 in BMD(bone mineral density) test were selected from June 2003 to December 2005. 10 cases were males and 5 cases were females with mean age of 59 years. The main injury mechanism was supination and external rotation. Mean follow-up period was 16 months. Clinical and radiologic evaluation was done according to Meyer and Kumler's criteria. RESULTS: All cases showed satisfying result and mean radiologic bone union period was 3 months. Anatomic reduction and bone union was acquired in all cases without complications including wound infection, skin necrosis, delayed union and nonunion CONCLUSIONS: Lag screw fixation seem to be excellent treatment of Danis-Weber type B lateral malleolar fractures with osteoporosis as it can minimize soft tissue injury and enable anatomic reduction with firm fixation.