Bosworth fracture complicated by unrecognized compartment syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Compartment syndrome (CS) is exceedingly rare in ankle fractures. However, the risk of CS development seems to be increased in the presence of a Bosworth fracture-dislocation (BF), a rare variant of locked dislocation of the fibula behind the tibia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Here, we report the case of a 39-year old man with delayed diagnosis of CS after having sustained a BF and failed attempts on closed reduction. The patient developed a flexion contracture of the hallux necessitating secondary fusion. RESULTS: At 3 years after the injury, the patient was capable of running, but had 10 degrees limitation of ankle dorsiflexion, persisting decreased sensation on the plantar surface and clawing of the lesser toes. A thorough review of the literature revealed nine cases of CS after 167 reported BF resulting in a calculated prevalence of 5.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Given the extreme paucity of CS in malleolar fractures, CS in BF has a relatively high prevalence. Risk factors include severe dislocations, repeated attempts on closed reduction, and a long interval to definite surgery. A high index of suspicion is required because delayed diagnosis leads to lasting functional restrictions.

CT controlled results of direct reduction and fixation of posterior malleolus in ankle fractures.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to present outcomes of operative treatment of the posterior malleolus fractures of type four of the Bartonícek/Rammelt classification. METHODS: In 19 patients, direct reduction and fixation of the posterior malleolus was performed from the posterolateral or posteromedial approaches. The accuracy of reduction was assessed with the use of postoperative CT scans. RESULTS: The mean size of the avulsed articular surface carried by posterior malleolus amounted to 36%. Reduction of the posterior malleolus fracture was assessed as anatomical in 14 cases and as satisfactory in five cases. Position of the distal fibula was assessed as anatomical in 15 cases. The mean AOFAS score was 89.4 points. All nine patients with anatomical reduction of all lesions achieved the mean AOFAS score of 93.1 points, five patients with malposition of posterior malleolus 89.1 points and five patients with malposition of the fibula in the fibular notch 87.8 points. A total of six patients developed osteoarthritic changes of grades one and two according to the Kellgren and Lawrence classification. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of the study demonstrated good mid-term results in type four fractures of the posterior malleolus treated by direct reduction from posterior approaches. Postoperative CT examination allowed evaluation of the accuracy of reduction of all fractures and reduction of the distal fibula into the fibular notch. Based on postoperative CT examination, it will be possible to assess the effect of reduction of individual lesions on the functional results.

The fibular notch: an anatomical study.

INTRODUCTION: Reduction of the distal fibula into the fibular notch (FN) poses a problem that has not been fully resolved, yet. A number of methods have been developed for the assessment of the position of the fibula in the FN, but none of them is ideal. A majority of authors assess the FN 1 cm above the tibiotalar joint space, without specifying the reason for the choice of this distance. None of the previous studies has addressed at what level the FN is the deepest. Our findings show that it is 4-5 mm above the ankle joint space and verification of this hypothesis has been the aim of this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dry adult tibial bone specimens from the Pachner's collection of the Institute of Anatomy of 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague were used in the study. Height of the FN at its widest point, 3 mm and 10 mm above the articular surface of the distal tibia were measured in each specimen, as well as the depth of the FN at the deepest point, 3 mm and 10 mm above the articular surface of the distal tibia and the distance between the highest point of this surface and the deepest point of the notch. RESULTS: The mean length of the tibia was 350 mm; the mean height of the FN was 42.5 mm; the mean width of the FN at its widest point was 23.6 mm, at 3 mm above the tibiotalar joint space 22 mm, 10 mm above this articular surface of distal tibia (tibial plafond) 18.9 mm. The mean depth of the notch at 3 mm above the tibial plafond was 3.8 mm, at 10 mm above this surface 4.1 mm. The maximum mean depth of the notch was 4.5 mm, the distance from this point to the highest point of the tibial plafond was 5.3 mm. CONCLUSION: The deepest point of the FN lies 5 mm above the articular surface of the tibial plafond, with the mean value of the depth being 4.5 mm. This region is, therefore, ideal for assessment of the position of the distal fibula in the FN.

Posterior malleolus fractures in Bosworth fracture-dislocations. A combination not to be missed.

OBJECTIVES: Posterior malleolar fractures (PM) have been linked to inferior outcome in malleolar fractures. This study aims to analyze the prevalence and pathoanatomy of PM fractures in Bosworth fracture-dislocations (BF). MATERIALS & METHODS: Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans of 13 patients treated at our institution and 97 cases published between 1947 and 2018, identified in a systematic literature search, were evaluated with respect to the pathoanatomy of BF. In all 13 cases from the present study and in 10 cases from the literature, axial CT scans were performed. RESULTS: All 13 patients (100%) with BF from the present series and 61 of 97 documented cases (63%) of BF from the literature were associated with a PM fracture. In patients with a complete CT analysis, dislocation of the fibula behind the posterior tibial rim was associated with extraincisural (Bartonícek / Rammelt type 1) PM fractures. Displacement of the fibula between the displaced PM fragment and the tibia was associated with Bartonícek / Rammelt types 2 and 3 PM fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Seventy prevent of all reported BF are associated with a PM fracture. The true prevalence may be even higher because of the historically infrequent use of CT imaging. The pathoanatomy of the PM fragment is highly variable as is the kind of fibular displacement in BF. Therefore, CT scanning should be performed routinely in BF. Displaced PM fractures in BF involving the incisura should be treated operatively via a direct posterolateral approach.

Anatomy and classification of the posterior tibial fragment in ankle fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze the pathoanatomy of the posterior fragment on the basis of a comprehensive CT examination, including 3D reconstructions, in a large patient cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty one consecutive individuals with an ankle fracture or fracture-dislocation of types Weber B or Weber C and evidence of a posterior tibial fragment in standard radiographs were included in the study. The mean patient age was 49 years (range 19-83 years). The exclusion criteria were patients below 18 years of age, inability to provide written consent, fractures of the tibial pilon, posttraumatic arthritis and pre-existing deformities. In all patients, post-injury radiographs were obtained in anteroposterior, mortise and lateral views. All patients underwent CT scanning in transverse, sagittal and frontal planes. 3D CT reconstruction was performed in 91 patients. RESULTS: We were able to classify 137 cases into one of the following four types with constant pathoanatomic features: type 1: extraincisural fragment with an intact fibular notch, type 2: posterolateral fragment extending into the fibular notch, type 3: posteromedial two-part fragment involving the medial malleolus, type 4: large posterolateral triangular fragment. In the 4 cases it was not possible to classify the type of the posterior tibial fragment. These were collectively termed type 5 (irregular, osteoporotic fragments). CONCLUSION: It is impossible to assess the shape and size of the posterior malleolar fragment, involvement of the fibular notch, or the medial malleolus, on the basis of plain radiographs. The system that we propose for classification of fractures of the posterior malleolus is based on CT examination and takes into account the size, shape and location of the fragment, stability of the tibio-talar joint and the integrity of the fibular notch. It may be a useful indication for surgery and defining the most useful approach to these injuries.