The use of gravity or manual-stress radiographs in the assessment of supination-external rotation fractures of the ankle

Supination-external rotation (SER) fractures of the ankle may present with a medial ligamentous injury that is not apparent on the initial radiographs. A cadaver gravity-stress view has been described, but the manual-stress view is considered to be the examination of choice for the diagnosis of medial injuries. We prospectively compared the efficacy of these two examinations. We undertook both examinations in 29 patients with SER fractures. Of these, 16 (55%) were stress-positive, i.e. and had widening of the medial clear space of > 4 mm with a mean medial clear space of 6.09 mm (4.4 to 8.1) on gravity-stress and 5.81 mm (4.0 to 8.2) on manual-stress examination, and 13 patients (45%) were stress-negative with a mean medial clear space of 3.91 mm (3.3 to 5.1) and 3.61 mm (2.6 to 4.5) on examination of gravity- and manual-stress respectively. The mean absolute visual analgoue scale score for discomfort in the examination of gravity stress was 3.45 (1 to 6) and in the manual-stress procedure 6.14 (3 to 10). We have shown that examination of gravity-stress is as reliable and perceived as more comfortable than that of manual stress. We recommend using it as the initial diagnostic screening examination for the detection of occult medial ligamentous injuries in SER fractures of the ankle.     

Relationship between fracture morphology of lateral malleolus and syndesmotic stability after supination-external rotation type ankle fractures

BackgroundSyndesmotic injury with supination-external rotation (SER)-type ankle fractures are well known for the serious damages to the osseous and soft tissue envelope. However, the Lauge-Hansen classification system does not provide sufficient information related to syndesmotic injury. In this study, we aimed to investigate factors for preoperative detection of syndesmotic injury according to fracture patterns in SER III and IV ankle fractures by using radiography and computed tomography (CT).MethodsAll operative SER III and IV ankle fractures treated by a single surgeon from 2009 to 2015 were enrolled in a retrospective database. Based on computed tomographic evidence and intra-operative Cotton test, stable and unstable groups of the ankle factures were divided.ResultsA total of 52 patients with SER III, 75 patients with SER IV, and 27 patients with SER IV equivalent ankle fractures were identified, with 106 in the unstable syndesmosis group (68.8%) and 48 patients in the stable syndesmosis group (31.2%). Medial space widening and fragment angle of the fibular posterior cortex were significant predictors. The cutoff values of these factors were 4.4 mm and 32.8 degrees, respectively.ConclusionsCT was superior to simple radiography in predicting syndesmotic injury at the preoperative period in SER-type III and IV. Medial space widening and fragment angle of the fibular posterior cortex, as predictive factors, showed significant correlations. In particular, sharper fragment angle of the posterior cortex indicated higher probability of instability that remained after fracture fixation.     

Comparison of manual and gravity stress radiographs for the evaluation of supination-external rotation fibular fractures

BACKGROUND: Isolated distal fibular fractures most commonly result from a supination-external rotation injury of the ankle. Deltoid ligament ruptures can also be associated with these injuries, resulting in an unstable ankle fracture due to incompetent lateral and medial restraints. We hypothesized that a gravity stress radiograph is equivalent to a manual stress radiograph for the detection of deltoid ligament injury in association with an isolated fibular fracture. METHODS: All patients presenting to a level-1 trauma hospital emergency department with an isolated fibular fracture were screened. Ankle stability was determined on the basis of radiographic measurements of the medial clear space and talar shift. A manual stress radiograph and a gravity stress radiograph of the injured ankle were made for each patient. The manual stress radiograph was used to determine whether the ankle was stable or unstable. RESULTS: A total of twenty-five patients (thirteen with a supination-external rotation type-II fracture and twelve with a supination-external rotation type-IV-equivalent injury) were enrolled in the study. In the type-II group, the average medial clear space was 4.15 and 4.26 mm on the manual and gravity stress radiographs, respectively (p = 0.50). In the type-IV group, the average medial clear space was 5.21 and 5.00 mm on the manual and gravity stress radiographs, respectively (p = 0.69). CONCLUSIONS: The gravity stress radiograph is equivalent to the manual stress radiograph for determining deltoid ligament injury in association with an isolated distal fibular fracture, and thus it can be used to determine ankle stability in patients who present with an isolated distal fibular fracture.     

Health related quality of life in patients with supination-external rotation stage IV ankle fractures

BACKGROUND: While open reduction of displaced ankle fractures generally is accepted as the standard of care, relatively little is known about the health related quality of life after treatment. It is generally accepted that clinical results of treatment for supination-external rotation stage IV ankle fractures are favorable. The goal of this investigation was to determine the relationship between clinical results and health-related quality of life outcome measures in a consecutive series of patients treated for closed supination-external rotation stage IV ankle fractures. METHODS: Twenty-six of 156 patients who had operative treatment for closed, displaced supination-external rotation stage IV ankle fractures during a 9-year period, completed the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) outcome questionnaire. Radiographs and clinical records were reviewed to determine quality of operative repair, postoperative morbidity, and the development of post-traumatic arthritis. RESULTS: There were no postoperative complications. Of the 26 patients who returned the SMFA questionnaires, 19 had "good," and seven had "fair" reduction of their fractures. Six showed radiographic evidence of arthritis at followup. Study participants reported scores that were similar to the general population in five of the six domains of the SMFA. Their scores in the mobility index were statistically less favorable (23.72 vs. 13.61, p = 0.016) when compared to the general population. Participants with "good" operative reductions and no evidence of arthritis at followup showed no significant difference to the general population. Participants with either a "fair" operative reduction or evidence of postoperative arthritis at followup had less favorable scores in the daily activities (mean 13.45 vs. 11.82, p = 0.004), mobility (43.43 vs. 13.61, p = 0.001), dysfunction (32.89 vs. 12.70, p = 0.014), and bother (35.80 vs. 13.77, p = 0.020) domains, when compared to the general population. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this investigation suggest that patients with excellent radiographic operative reductions and no arthritis as early as 6 months after surgery sustain no lasting unfavorable effect on health related quality of life. Patients with "fair" radiographic reduction, or presence of arthritis or both at followup, are likely to have a negative effect on their quality of life.     

Syndesmosis fixation in supination-external rotation ankle fractures. Long-Term results of a prospective randomised study

BackroundThe clinical relevance and treatment of syndesmosis injury in supination-external rotation (SER) ankle fractures are controversial.MethodsAfter malleolar fixation 24 SER 4 ankle fracture patients with unstable syndesmosis in external rotation stress test were randomised to syndesmosis transfixation with a screw (13 patients) or no fixation (11 patients). Mean follow-up time was 9.7 years (range, 8.9–11.0). The primary outcome measure was the Olerud-Molander Ankle Outcome Score (OMAS). Secondary outcome measures included ankle mortise congruity and degenerative osteoarthritis, 100-mm visual analogue scale for function and pain, RAND 36-Item Health Survey, and range of motion.ResultsMean OMAS in the syndesmosis transfixation group was 87.3 (SD 15.5) and in the no-syndesmosis-fixation group 89.0 (SD 16.0) (difference between means 1.8, 95% CI ?10.4–14.0, P = 0.76). There were no differences between the two groups in secondary outcome measures.ConclusionWith the numbers available, SER 4 ankle fractures with unstable syndesmosis can be treated with malleolar fixation only, with good to excellent long-term functional outcome.     

Early and mid-term results of transarticular external fixation in the treatment of supination-external rotation type IV equivalent ankle fractures

Purpose

To investigate the early and mid-term results of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with transarticular external fixation (TEF) but no deltoid ligament repair (DLR) in the treatment of supination-external rotation type IV equivalent (SER IV E) ankle fractures (AO/OTA classification 44-B 3.1) and provide evidence for clinical practice.

Impact of metabolic syndrome on patient outcomes of supination-external rotation ankle fracture

Metabolic syndrome has been known as a risk factor for morbidity following orthopedic procedures, yet its impact on surgical treatment of ankle fractures remains unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the patient outcomes of surgical treatment of supination-external rotation ankle fractures in patients with and without metabolic syndrome. This study was designed as a retrospective matched case-control study. Forty-nine patients with supination-external rotation ankle fracture and metabolic syndrome were age-, sex-, and fracture type-matched with 49 controls without metabolic syndrome. Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Kellgren and Lawrence (K&L) scale, and complications were assessed at final follow-up. The mean postoperative follow-up was 19.5 months (range, 13–44). The OMAS measurements in the metabolic syndrome group were lower than those in the control group (p = 0.006) and the VAS for pain measurements in the metabolic syndrome group were greater than those in the control group (p < 0.001). The K&L scale and complications did not differ significantly between the two groups. Patients with metabolic syndrome are at risk for higher pain scores and lower functional outcomes after surgical treatment for supination-external rotation ankle fracture. These results suggest that metabolic syndrome should be treated together with ankle fractures.     

Diagnostic tools to evaluate ankle instability caused by a deltoid ligament rupture in patients with supination-external rotation ankle fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AimSupination-external rotation (SER) ankle fractures account for the majority of ankle fractures and can be divided into stable or unstable fractures, based on the state of the deltoid ligament. The objective of this review was to appraise the available literature concerning diagnostic tools to evaluate deltoid ligament integrity in patients with SER-type ankle fractures.MethodsA comprehensive literature search of Pubmed and Embase was performed up to December 2020. The outcome measures were sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive value of the diagnostic tools. A meta-analysis was performed to obtain an overview of sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC). The methodological quality of the articles was evaluated using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies.ResultsA total of 12 studies investigating tools for deltoid ligament rupture in patients with SER-type ankle fractures were included. The present study found sensitivity (and specificity) ranges of 0.20-0.90 (and 0.38-0.97) for clinical features, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 0.57-0.85 (and 0.81-1.00), ultrasonography 1.00 (and 0.89-1.00), Malleolar Medial Fleck Sign (MMFS) 0.25 (and 0.99), conventional ankle mortise radiography 0.33-0.57 (and 0.60-0.94), gravity stress radiography 0.71-1.00 (and 0.72-0.88) and manual stress ankle radiography 0.65-1.00 (and 0.00-0.77). The largest AUC was found for ultrasonography, followed by MMFS, gravity stress radiography and MRI.ConclusionUltrasonography and gravity stress radiography seem the most accurate diagnostic tools to evaluate deltoid ligament integrity. To strengthen this conclusion, future research should use an identical reference test to ensure comparability of results. Nevertheless, present study is of high value to close the knowledge gap about which presently available diagnostic tool is to be preferred to evaluate deltoid ligament integrity in patients with SER-type ankle fractures.     

MRI与术中外旋应力试验在旋后-外旋踝关节骨折中的应用价值比较

背景：旋后-外旋骨折占所有踝关节骨折的40%~75%。其治疗方式的选择主要依赖对内侧结构损伤程度的判断,特别是内侧三角韧带是否有损伤。循证医学的资料表明,术前MR扫描与术中外旋应力试验是判断三角韧带损伤的方法。那么,术前MR扫描是否可以替代术中应力试验,明确三角韧带损伤的情况并指导踝骨折采用保守治疗或手术治疗。本文试图通过手术验证两者的敏感性是否一致。目的：探讨MRI与术中外旋应力试验在判断踝关节旋后-外旋型损伤程度中的应用价值。方法：2008年1月至2012年12月,我院收治的Lauge-Hansen分型旋后-外旋型踝关节骨折患者,共计30例,术前常规行X线、MR扫描,记录踝关节内侧三角韧带损伤情况。麻醉后行踝关节外旋应力位摄片,依据踝关节内侧间隙是否正常判定三角韧带损伤情况。再比较外旋应力试验与MR结果。结果：MR扫描对三角韧带损伤情况判定,等同于术中外旋应力试验。结论：MRI对于判断三角韧带是否损伤有一定价值,可以指导旋后-外旋型踝关节骨折不同程度损伤的鉴别与治疗方法的选择。     

手术治疗三角韧带断裂的踝关节旋后外旋Ⅳ型骨折的疗效分析

【】 目的 探讨手术治疗三角韧带断裂的踝关节旋后外旋Ⅳ型骨折的的临床疗效。 方法 我院自2010年1月至2013年06月,根据 Lauge-Hansen分型,对21例三角韧带断裂的踝关节旋后外旋Ⅳ型骨折采用外踝切开复位钢板内固定,三角韧带锚钉修复的手术方法进行治疗,其中2例合并内踝骨折,2例合并后踝骨折,同时行空心拉力螺钉内固定,3例行下胫腓联合固定。病例中男16例,女5例;平均年龄46．1岁(32~61岁)。受伤至手术平均时间为5．1 天(3~10 天)。均为闭合性骨折,并且未合并其他部位骨折。对治疗结果进行功能及影像学方面的评估。末次随访应用Mazur踝关节评分系统。 结果 所有患者均获得随访,术后平均随访时间13．2个月(8~22个月),骨折处均获得骨性愈合,平均愈合时间4．7个月(4．2~6．9个月),踝穴正常,无创伤性关节炎。优6例,良13,可2例,优良率为90％。结论 三角韧带断裂的踝关节旋后外旋Ⅳ型骨折采用外踝切开复位钢板内固定,三角韧带锚钉修复的手术方法,能够获得满意的临床疗效。     

踝关节旋后外旋、旋前外旋Ⅳ型骨折三角韧带修复效果比较

目的比较旋后外旋(SER)Ⅳ型、旋前外旋(PER)Ⅳ型踝关节骨折三角韧带断裂修复治疗的治疗效果。 方法回顾性分析首都医科大学宣武医院骨科于2016年1月至2018年1月收治的SER、PER Ⅳ型踝关节骨折患者。纳入标准：三角韧带断裂;随访超过1年。排除标准：年龄≥70岁、踝关节存在陈旧性损伤、内踝骨折、同侧下肢其他部位骨折、开放性骨折、无法配合功能锻炼、病理性骨折。按照纳入排除标准,共有68例纳入本研究,SER组47人,PER组21人。评估两组患者术后1年后的踝关节美国足踝外科协会(AOFAS)评分、生活质量(QOL)评分,采用t检验比较两组之间的差异。 结果SER组患者的踝关节功能恢复情况优于PER组(t＝8.314,P<0.05);SER组的躯体健康优于PER组患者(t＝0.766,P<0.05)、但精神健康方面两组患者基本一致(t＝0.452,P>0.05),合计SF-36的总分后,发现两组患者的QOL无明显差异(t＝0.172,P>0.05)。 结论踝三角韧带断裂行修复后,SER Ⅳ型骨折患者的踝关节功能恢复情况、躯体QOL比PER Ⅳ型患者好,但是两组患者的精神健康QOL、总体QOL基本一致。     

手术治疗外展外旋力所致踝关节骨折

手术治疗外展外旋力引起的踝关节骨折３５例，平均随访２年半，满意率为８８．６％。效果不佳者与软组织损伤严重和关节软骨受损有关。恢复腓骨的长度对防止距骨移位与倾斜十分重要。用钢板固定外踝时要使其下端适应腓骨下段的外翻角。下胫腓联合不论是完全还是不全分离，都应用螺钉固定，以增加踝关节稳定性，早期练习活动。三角韧带断裂时，只要腓骨解剖复位与坚强固定，三角韧带可不予修复。对小于胫骨远端关节面２５％的后踝骨折可不予处理。     

Corrective supramalleolar osteotomy for malunited pronation-external rotation fractures of the ankle

We undertook a prospective study to analyse the outcome of 48 malunited pronation-external rotation fractures of the ankle in 48 patients (25 females and 23 males) with a mean age of 45 years (21 to 69), treated by realignment osteotomies. The interval between the injury and reconstruction was a mean of 20.2 months (3 to 98). In all patients, valgus malalignment of the distal tibia and malunion of the fibula were corrected. In some patients, additional osteotomies were performed. Patients were reviewed regularly, and the mean follow-up was 7.1 years (2 to 15). Good or excellent results were obtained in 42 patients (87.5%) with the benefit being maintained over time. Congruent ankles without a tilted talus (Takakura stage 0 and 1) were obtained in all but five cases. One patient required total ankle replacement.