Two-hole plate and suture complex for trimalleolar ankle fractures combined with distal tibioifbular syndesmosis injuries
WANG Yue
FANG Wei
YAN Hong-qi
LI Zhi-gao
LI Li
Abstract：Objective To investigate the operative method in the treatment of trimalleolar ankle fractures combined with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries by using 2-hole plate and suture complex, and to evaluate clinical results.Methods Eleven patients with trimalleolar ankle fractures combined with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries were treated by 2-hole plate and suture complex from September 2010 to September 2012, and then were followed up. The patients were encouraged to perform active ankle lfexion-extension movement at 2 days after the operation, partial weight-bearing functional exercise at 6 days after the operation, and full weight-bearing functional exercise at 12 days after the operation. The average follow-up period was 12 months. The clinical examination, radiographic analysis and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ( AOFAS ) ankle-hindfoot scale were used to evaluate the outcomes. According to the patients’ postoperative radiographic data and ankle-hindfoot scores, the clinical results of this new ifxation complex were evaluated and its application prospects were discussed. Results All the patients began their partial weight-bearing functional exercise at 6 weeks after the operation. The postoperative X-ray analysis demonstrated the tibioifbular clear space ( TFCS ) remained stable in all the patients from the 8th week after the operation to the subsequent follow-up. Meanwhile, there was no evidence of displacement in the lateral talus within the ankle mortise. The mean AOFAS score at 3 months after the operation was 60 points in 11 patients, which was 85 points in 7 patients who had the follow-up visit at 6 months after the operation. The AOFAS scores obtained at 12 months after the operation in all the patients were excellent, which was 95 points on average out of 100 points. The plain X-ray measurement showed no loosening of 2-hole plate and suture complex ifxation. The internal ifxation devices in all the patients were removed at 12 months after the implantation. There were no broken sutures caused by plate cutting when the implants were removed in all patients. No patients complained of any discomfort after the removal.Conclusions Two-hole plate and suture complex for trimalleolar ankle fractures combined with distal tibioifbular syndesmosis injuries has such advantages as easier operative techniques, shorter operation time, better physical properties, enough ifxation strength, avoidance of the breakage of internal ifxation andless cost.
Keywords：Ankle injuriesTibial fracturesFibulaFracturesboneWounds and injuries
Publication Date：2015-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 466-468 )