Anatomical Basis of Variability in Injuries of the Medial Malleolus and the Deltoid Ligament: II. Clinical Studies

The anatomical concept of the deltoid ligament as being attached to the anterior colliculus of the medial malleolus by its superficial portion, and to the posterior colliculus by its deep portion has been applied to a clinical material. A number of singular and concurrent lesions of the medial malleolus and the deltoid ligament were recognized: fracture of the anterior colliculus, concurrent fracture of the anterior colliculus and rupture of the deep posterior talotibial ligament, fracture of the posterior colliculus, supracollicular fracture, rupture of the deltoid ligament, and chip fracture of the anterior colliculus. The clinical implications of these lesions are discussed.     

外踝骨折后三角韧带损伤程度的X线与MRI比较研究

目的 探讨急性外踝骨折后X线片与MRI评价三角韧带损伤程度的影像学诊断价值.方法 总结医院PACS系统中41例急性外踝骨折(排除合并内踝骨折病例)的X线片和MR影像资料,于踝穴位X线片上测量踝内侧间隙(medial clear space,MCS)宽度,应用MR影像对三角韧带深层(胫距后韧带)及浅层(胫弹簧韧带和胫跟韧带)损伤进行评价分级,统计分析MCS与三角韧带损伤程度的相关性;分别记录以X线片和MRI为参考的全部病例Lauge-Hansen分型.结果 MCS与三角韧带损伤等级呈正相关,经ROC曲线分析,判定三角韧带完全断裂(深层和浅层同时)的MCS最适临界值和深层单独完全断裂的MCS最适临界值均为7.85 mm;而判断浅层完全断裂的MCS最适临界值是6.48mm;以MRI为金标准,所有病例Lauge-Hansen分型的准确性为58.5％,但预测三角韧带断裂的准确性达82.9％,只是难以区分深层和(或)浅层断裂.结论 急性外踝骨折后即使未出现内踝骨折,也常伴有三角韧带损伤,X线片仍是踝关节骨折评价的首选检查技术,而MR检查是明确三角韧带损伤程度的敏感辅助检查技术.     

三角韧带损伤在旋后一外旋型踝关节骨折治疗中的意义

背景：旋后-外旋型踝关节骨折临床常见,三角韧带是否损伤是判定损伤严重程度与影响预后的重要因素。同时三角韧带是否修补与如何修补一直是大家争论的问题。目的：探讨三角韧带的解剖与组织特性,探讨损伤之后的诊断与治疗方法。方法：新鲜尸体标本10具,将内踝与距骨内侧结节之间的软组织由浅至深逐层解剖,胫后肌腱深层部分送检,HE染色后显微镜观察。记录2007年1月至2008年12月,旋后-外旋踝关节损伤患者40例的临床资料。结果：位于胫后肌腱深层的软组织,无论大体解剖还是显微结构,均分为两层、表面是胫后肌腱腱鞘鞘膜,深层是位于内踝后丘与距骨结节之间的三角韧带,宽10．8±1．5mm,长10．4±1．9mm,厚6．4±0．5mm。40例患者没有内侧切开处理三角韧带,随访终点结果良好。结论：三角韧带损伤临床常见,建议必要的辅助检查,分清内踝前丘、后丘与三角韧带的损伤情况。选择合适的手术方式,恢复踝关节的稳定性与关节面平整。     

Posterior collicular fractures of the medial malleolus

The posterior colliculus of the medial malleolus gives origin to the deep part of the deltoid ligament. Posterior collicular fractures are rare injuries, usually nondisplaced due to stabilization by the tibialis posterior and flexor digitorum longus tendons. This nondisplaced fracture is best identified on external oblique radiographs, which are not usually included in standard ankle views. Thus, some index of suspicion is necessary for their detection. A satisfactory result can be achieved by nonoperative treatment of the posterior collicular fracture.     

Deltoid ligament integrity in lateral malleolar fractures: a comparative analysis of arthroscopic and radiographic assessments

Foot and ankle surgeons often rely on the medial clear space to evaluate competency of the deep deltoid ligament when evaluating ankle fractures. This investigation assesses the integrity of the deep deltoid ligament after lateral malleolar fracture by using direct arthroscopic visualization and medial clear-space separation on plain film radiographs. The objectives of this study were to test the reliability of medial clear-space separation and the Lauge-Hansen classification scheme in predicting deep deltoid rupture in displaced lateral malleolar fractures. The medial clear space was measured on injury radiographs of 40 patients with an isolated displaced lateral malleolar fracture who underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Injury radiographs were classified according to the Lauge-Hansen scheme. Direct arthroscopic visualization was used to evaluate the deep deltoid ligament under manual stress before fracture reduction. The mean preoperative medial clear space in patients with a deep deltoid rupture (n = 13) was 6.6 +/- 2.4 mm (range, 4 to 12 mm), and in patients without a deep deltoid rupture (n = 26), it was 4.0 +/- 1.0 mm (range, 2.5 to 6 mm) (P =.002, 2-sample t test). At an injury medial clear space > or =3 mm, the false positive rate for deltoid rupture was 88.5% (P =.54, Fisher's exact test). At > or =4 mm, the false positive rate was 53.6% (P =.007). All fractures were rotational injuries according to the Lauge-Hansen system. Three fractures were not classifiable; another 3 fractures showed deltoid ligament integrity opposite the expected finding. The results indicate that, in isolated displaced fractures of the lateral malleolus, radiographic widening of the medial clear space is not a reliable indicator for deep deltoid rupture. Some fractures considered stable by the Lauge-Hansen classification may require careful scrutiny to rule out deep deltoid injury.     

Fractures of the fibula proximal to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis.

Study of thirty-six cases of fracture of the fibula at levels proximal to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis established that there are three types, distinguished by the direction of the fracture line, which are produced by different mechanisms: supination-external rotation, pronation-abduction, and pronation-external rotation. Advanced lesions that were seen were severe injuries of the ankle which included rupture of the deltoid ligament or fracture of the medial malleolus and complete diastasis of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis in addition to the fracture of the fibula. Surgical treatment is necessary in most advanced lesions.     

The contribution of anterior deltoid ligament to ankle stability in isolated lateral malleolar fractures

The treatment of isolated lateral malleolar fractures with deltoid ligament rupture remains controversial. We prospectively analysed 35 patients with isolated lateral malleolar fractures during 2006–2013. Radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to assess the degree of reduction, ligament damage, and stability. Internal fixation was performed for all unstable valgus fractures with unacceptable fracture parameters. Fractures with residual valgus instability after fixation underwent anterior deltoid repair. The mean anterior deltoid ligament grade based on MRI was significantly different between the high-grade unstable group and the stable and low-grade unstable groups (p = 0.037 and 0.004, respectively). Postoperative medial clear space measurements were not significantly different between groups. MRI was shown to be a useful tool in the preoperative identification of isolated lateral malleolus fractures prone to valgus instability. In the case of high-grade unstable fractures of the lateral malleolus, repair of the anterior deltoid ligament is adequate for restoring medial stability.     

三角韧带深层损伤是否影响旋前外旋型踝关节骨折的中期临床疗效

目的了解三角韧带深层损伤对PER型踝关节骨折中期临床疗效的影响。方法回顾性研究2013年1月至2014年12月北京积水潭医院创伤骨科手术治疗的50例PERⅢ度或Ⅳ度骨折患者。其中男37例,女13例;年龄16~68岁,平均30.2岁。根据踝关节内侧损伤类型分为两组:未修复组为内踝三角韧带深层损伤且无内踝骨折患者,未行三角韧带修复手术,共28例;对照组为内踝丘上骨折且三角韧带深层完整患者,行内踝丘上骨折切开复位内固定,共22例。两组患者均行腓骨骨折切开复位内固定和下胫腓螺钉固定。比较两组患者术后6个月以上影像学检查的内踝间隙和下胫腓间隙,以及中期随访的美国足踝外科协会的(AOFAS)的踝-后足评分和疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)。结果两组患者的性别、年龄、出现踝关节半脱位或脱位时的表现方式差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者在损伤暴力程度、腓骨骨折线高度、是否完全脱位、后踝骨折率、后踝固定率、内固定物取出率、手术时间等差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。38例完成术后6个月影像学检查,21例未修复组的内踝间隙为3.7 mm,下胫腓间隙为4.5 mm;17例对照组的内踝间隙为3.4 mm;下胫腓间隙为4.4 mm。术后约3年时随访,未修复组和对照组的平均AOFAS评分分别为98.3分和94.6分,平均VAS评分分别为0.4分和1.5分。术后约5年时随访,未修复组和对照组的平均AOFAS评分分别为97.1分和93.6分,平均VAS评分分别为0.5分和1.2分。对于年龄<45岁的患者,术后约3、5年时随访的AOFAS评分、VAS评分与三角韧带完整与否均无相关性(P>0.05)。年龄与术后5年随访时AOFAS评分(P=0.021)相关。结论对于PER型Ⅲ、Ⅳ度踝关节骨折,在腓骨骨折及下胫腓螺钉固定后,残留三角韧带深层损伤不会影响45岁以内患者的中期疗效。     

Competence of the deltoid ligament in bimalleolar ankle fractures after medial malleolar fixation

BACKGROUND: The stability of the ankle joint is provided by the medial and lateral malleoli and ligaments. Recent studies of cadaveric ankles have demonstrated that injury to the medial structures of the ankle is necessary to allow lateral subluxation of the talus after fracture. However, cadaveric models are limited by the fracture pattern chosen for the model. We sought to investigate the competency of the deltoid ligament in vivo in patients with an operatively treated bimalleolar ankle fracture. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with a bimalleolar ankle fracture were evaluated. In each patient, the medial malleolus was anatomically reduced and fixed. A radiograph of the ankle was then made with application of an external rotation load to the joint. All lateral malleolar injuries were then reduced and fixed. The radiographs were evaluated for restoration of the competence of the deltoid ligament according to established criteria. RESULTS: Seven (26 percent) of the twenty-seven patients had radiographically evident incompetence of the deltoid ligament after medial malleolar fixation. This finding was associated with a small medial malleolar fragment. CONCLUSIONS: In bimalleolar fractures, the medial injury may be an osseous avulsion, leaving the deltoid intact on the displaced fragment, or it may be a combination of ligamentous and osseous injury with disruption of the deep portion of the deltoid ligament.     

Safe zone for the placement of medial malleolar screws

BACKGROUND: Hardware placement for fracture fixation can put soft-tissue structures at risk for injury or abutment. The prominence of the hardware is a frequent cause of pain after the fixation of ankle fractures. This study was designed to assess the risk of injury or abutment of the posterior tibial tendon with the placement of medial malleolar screws. METHODS: Ten unmatched cadaveric limbs that had been disarticulated at the knee were used, and the medial malleolus was exposed by dissection of the skin. With use of fluoroscopy and direct visualization of the deep fascia, three Kirschner wires were placed through the tip of the medial malleolus and directed parallel to the medial articular surface. The first wire was placed in the center of the anterior colliculus. Two additional wires were placed parallel and posterior to the initial wire at 5-mm intervals. The wires were overdrilled, and 4.0-mm screws were inserted over the Kirschner wires. The specimens were dissected to inspect for trauma and the proximity of the screws to the posterior tibial tendon. The medial malleolus was divided into three zones on the basis of anatomic landmarks. Zone 1 is the anterior colliculus; Zone 2, the intercollicular groove; and Zone 3, the posterior colliculus. RESULTS: Screws placed in Zone 1 (the anterior colliculus) did not contact the posterior tibial tendon in any specimens. Screws placed in Zone 2 (the intercollicular groove) were, on the average, 2 mm from the posterior tibial tendon. Screws placed in Zone 3 (the posterior colliculus) resulted in tendon abutment in all ten specimens and in tendon injury in five of the ten specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Screws inserted posterior to the anterior colliculus place the posterior tibial tendon at significant risk for injury or abutment.     

Ultrasonographic examination of the deltoid ligament in bimalleolar equivalent fractures

BACKGROUND: Lauge-Hansen supination-external rotation Stage IV ankle injuries may simulate a Stage II or Stage III injury radiographically if the medial disruption occurred through the deltoid ligament instead of the medial malleolus, making it difficult to determine whether an operation is indicated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen patients presented with radiographically isolated lateral malleolar fractures at the syndesmotic level. They were examined with ultrasonography for evaluation of the integrity of the deltoid ligament. Patients in whom ultrasonography showed complete rupture of the deltoid ligament received operative fixation of the ankle fracture, with exploration and repair of the deltoid ligament at the same time. Patients without complete rupture of the deltoid ligament were treated conservatively with a short leg cast for 6 weeks followed by an ankle brace for another 6 weeks. Nine male and six female patients completed the final clinical and radiographic evaluations. RESULTS: Ultrasonography showed complete rupture of the deltoid ligament in six patients. Exploration of the deltoid ligaments confirmed the sonographic findings in all these patients. In the remaining nine patients, the deltoid ligaments were not completely ruptured on ultrasound. These fractures were treated conservatively, and all healed uneventfully. All the 15 patients had good or fair results on the final evaluation. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is a convenient and accurate diagnostic tool to differentiate unstable bimalleolar-equivalent ankle fractures from an isolated lateral malleolar fracture. Thus, it can be helpful in the decision process for the treatment of choice for different fracture patterns.     

A rare type of ankle fracture: Syndesmotic rupture combined with a high fibular fracture without medial injury

High fibular spiral fractures are usually caused by pronation-external rotation mechanism. The foot is in pronation and the talus externally rotates, causing a rupture of the medial ligaments or a fracture of the medial malleolus. With continued rotation the anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligament will rupture, and finally, the energy leaves the fibula by creating a spiral fracture from anterior superior to posterior inferior.In this article we demonstrate a type of ankle fracture with syndesmotic injury and high fibular spiral fractures without a medial component. This type of ankle fractures cannot be explained by the Lauge-Hansen classification, since it lacks injury on the medial side of the ankle, but it does have the fibular fracture pattern matching the pronation external rotation injury (anterior superior to posterior inferior fracture). We investigated the mechanism of this injury illustrated by 3 cases and postulate a theory explaining the biomechanics behind this type of injury.     

The effect of partial deltoid ligament injuries on the external rotation stability: A cadaveric study

BackgroundThe anterior and posterior part of the deltoid ligament have different functions during ankle flexion motion. Partial ligament injuries have been demonstrated in previous clinical reports. However, the efficacy of external rotation stress test in partial injured cases is unavailable till now.MethodsThirty-two fresh cadaveric specimens were included and allocated into two destabilization groups. In the first group, the anterior portion of deltoid ligament (DL) and syndesmotic ligament were sequentially severed, while in the second group, the posterior portion of DL and syndesmotic ligament were sequentially severed. Mortise view radiographs were taken after each destabilization stage when the ankles were placed at plantarflexion and dorsiflexion positions and stressed in standard external rotation force. The medial clear space (MCS) and talar tilt (TT) angle were measured and compared among different destabilization stages.ResultsWhen the ankles were placed at neutral position, the TT significantly increased in all destabilization stages. The MCS significantly increased after the partial deltoid ligament ruptures only with presence of syndesmotic ligament injuries. There was no significant difference of MCS at plantarflexion for all stages of destabilization if the anterior portion of DL is preserved. Similarly, no significant increase of MCS was detected at dorsiflexion if the posterior portion of DL and posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament are intact.ConclusionPartial DL rupture causes ankle rotational instability at different ankle joint positions, especially when combined with syndesmotic injuries. The neutral position is recommended for diagnosis of partial DL ruptures under external rotation stress.     

Maisonneuve Fracture without Deltoid Ligament Disruption: A Rare Pattern of Injury

The Maisonneuve fracture is considered by many to be one of the most unstable ankle injuries. We report a rare injury involving fracture of the proximal fibula in association with a posterior malleolar fracture and disruption of the anterior-inferior tibiofibular ligament, without disruption of the deltoid ligament or fracture of the medial malleolus. This report of a diagnostically challenging case highlights the importance of timely clinical and radiographic reassessment of a patient who fails to improve with initial therapy, and describes the clinical and diagnostic imaging findings of an unusual ankle injury.     

Surgical treatment of bi- and trimalleolar ankle fractures: should the medial collateral ligament be sutured or not?

In Weber type A, B, and C fractures there is no census or whether or not to suture the ruptured medial collateral ligament. From May 1990 to December 1994, operations were performed on 48 patients with such lesions. Thirty-three cases were reviewed, 29 males and four females, with an average age of 39 years (range, 15-73 years). In 22 cases there was an isolated fracture of the lateral malleolus, and in 11 cases the fracture was associated with a posterior malleolus fracture. There were tibiotalar dislocations in nine cases. Fifty-eight percent of the injuries were caused by sports activities and 27% by an ordinary fall. After a preoperative external reduction, the lateral and posterior (if necessary) fractures were anatomically and rigidly fixed (plate, pins, and wire) without any suture of the medial ligament. Medial tibiotalar and tibiofibular diastasis were totally reduced as shown during intraoperative radiographs. The follow-up at time of review was 27 months on average (range, 9 months-5 years). Functional results were excellent and good in 82.5% of cases, with a return to sports activities at a mean time of 4.3 months. X-rays were considered as normal in 73% of cases, with an anterior impingement syndrome in 15% and calcifications of the medial collateral ligament in 12%. Stress radiographs in valgus talar tilt (n = 24) were normal in all cases. The authors suggest new surgical guidelines in ankle fractures with a medial collateral rupture, based on fracture stabilization, with ligament tears left unexplored (medial, tibiofibular, and syndesmotic ligaments), and early mobilization.     

Peroneal Tendons Rupture in a Closed Talar Body Fracture: A Rare Injury

The combination of tendon and ligament ruptures with fracture of the talus is very rare. We demonstrate our experience in the acceptable management of a 34-year-old male referred with a closed comminuted fracture of the talar body after falling 7 meters. During the surgery, complete rupture of the peroneus brevis tendon, partial rupture of the peroneus longus tendon, and an avulsed superficial deltoid ligament from medial malleolus were found. Twelve months after open reduction and internal fixation of the talar body fracture and repair of the peroneal tendons and superficial deltoid ligament, the patient was satisfied, without any talar dome collapse, sclerosis, or arthritic changes. It is recommended to take care of possible tendon or ligament ruptures during fixation of talar fractures in cases of high-energy trauma.     

Experimental Ankle Injuries: Analysis of the Traumatology of the Ankle Ligaments

On 32 osteoligamentous ankle preparations forced movements were performed in varying, accurately defined directions. the sequence in which this caused rupture of the individual ligamentous structures of the ankle is described. Dorsiflexion traumas predominantly injured the posterior part of the deltoid ligament, while in plantar flexion traumas the injuries primarily involved the anterior capsule and the anterior talofibular ligament. Internal rotation traumas injured the anterior talofibular ligament and the short, anterior fibres of the posterior talofibular ligament before the calcaneofibular ligament was damaged, whereas in adduction traumas the calcaneofibular ligament ruptured first. Forced external rotation primarily caused rupture of the deep structures of the deltoid ligament, while conversely abduction traumas first caused rupture of the superficial part of this ligament.