Are outcomes of bimalleolar fractures poorer than those of lateral malleolar fractures with medial ligamentous injury?

BACKGROUND: Recommendations for surgical treatment and expected outcomes differ for two unstable patterns of supination-external rotation ankle injuries. We compared the demographic characteristics and functional outcome following surgical stabilization between the two types of supination-external rotation type-4 fractures: distal fibular fracture with a deltoid ligament rupture and bimalleolar fracture. METHODS: Demographic data on 456 patients in whom an unstable fracture of the ankle was treated surgically were entered into a database and the patients were prospectively followed. Two hundred and sixty-six of these patients sustained either a bimalleolar fracture or a lateral malleolar fracture with insufficiency of the deltoid ligament and widening of the medial clear space. No medial fixation was used in the patients with a deltoid ligament injury. All patients followed a similar postoperative protocol. The patients were followed clinically and radiographically at three, six, and twelve months after the surgery. Function was assessed with the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score. RESULTS: Bimalleolar fractures were more commonly seen in female patients, in those older than sixty years of age, and in patients with more comorbidities. There was no significant association between the fracture pattern and either diabetes or the length of the hospital stay. At a minimum of one year postoperatively, the patients with a bimalleolar fracture had significantly worse function, even after we controlled for all other variables. The overall complication rate, including elective hardware removal, was also higher in the group with a bimalleolar fracture (seventeen compared with nine patients). CONCLUSIONS: At one year after surgical stabilization of an unstable ankle fracture, most patients experience little or mild pain and have few restrictions in functional activities. However, the functional outcome for those with a bimalleolar fracture is worse than that for those with a lateral malleolar fracture and disruption of the deltoid ligament, possibly because of the injury pattern and the energy expended.     

Irreducible fracture-dislocation of the ankle caused by an entrapped medial malleolus at the syndesmosis

A 55-year-old fisherman sustained an unusual and irreducible fracture-dislocation of the ankle joint. An entrapped medial malleolar fragment was discovered by computed tomography between the distal tibia and lateral malleolus. The fragment was removed during an emergent open reduction, during which deltoid ligament repair and internal fixation of the bimalleolar fracture were undertaken. At the 18-month follow-up visit, the patient was working normally and was asymptomatic. At previous visits, he demonstrated a full range of ankle motion and had normal radiograph.     

Posterior Malleolus Fracture Displacement Is Associated with Rotational Ankle Fracture Stability in Patients Without Medial Malleolar Fractures

Background

The optimal method for the determination of ankle stability remains controversial in rotational ankle fractures without medial bony injury.

Questions/Purposes

The purposes of this study were to (1) evaluate whether posterior malleolar (PM) fracture displacement is associated with deltoid ligament injury in supination-external rotation (SER) ankle fractures and (2) compare the diagnostic accuracy of PM displacement and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of the deep deltoid ligament in identifying fractures with deltoid ligament incompetence.

Methods

Patients with rotational bimalleolar injuries containing lateral malleolar and PM fractures without bony medial injury were included. After operative lateral and PM fixation, an external rotation stress test was performed to evaluate deltoid ligament stability. Operative dictations were reviewed to confirm injury pattern, stability on stress test, and visual inspection of the deltoid ligament. Maximum PM displacement was assessed on lateral X-ray. Pre-operative MRI of the ankle was performed following closed reduction and splinting.

Results

The final cohort consisted of 13 trimalleolar equivalent fractures (torn deltoid ligament) and 20 bimalleolar fractures (medial malleolus and deltoid ligament intact). Average PM displacement was significantly higher for SER trimalleolar equivalent patterns when measured on lateral X-ray. The sensitivity of detecting trimalleolar equivalent fracture was higher on all reported X-ray findings than the sensitivity obtained by the reported MRI findings of deltoid ligament injury.

Conclusion

PM displacement on X-ray is a useful adjuvant along with external rotation stress radiography and MRI evaluation of deep deltoid integrity to distinguish between stable and unstable fracture patterns and thus helps facilitate treatment decisions.

     

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。     

Deltoid ligament injuries: diagnosis and management

The medial ligaments of the ankle are injured more often than generally believed. Complete deltoid ligament tears are occasionally seen in association with lateral malleolar fractures or bimalleolar fractures. Chronic deltoid ligament insufficiency can be seen in several conditions, including posterior tibial tendon disorder, trauma- and sports-related deltoid disruptions, and valgus talar tilting in patients who have a history of triple arthrodesis or total ankle arthroplasty. This article focuses on the anatomy and function of the medial ligaments of the ankle and establishes a rationale for the diagnosis and treatment of incompetent deltoid ligament.     

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.     

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.     

Ankle fractures resulting from rotational injuries

Ankle fractures are among the most common skeletal injuries; selection of an optimal management method depends on ankle stability. Stable fractures (eg, isolated lateral malleolar) generally are managed nonsurgically; unstable fractures (eg, bimalleolar, bimalleolar equivalent) usually are managed with open reduction and internal fixation. Stress radiographs may aid in the management of incomplete deltoid injury in which there is medial swelling and tenderness without radiographic talar shift. A posterior malleolar fracture should be reduced and stabilized if it comprises >30% of the articular surface and remains displaced after fibular stabilization. Ankle fractures with syndesmotic injury have additional tibiofibular instability that can be controlled by screw fixation. However, the choice between metal and bioabsorbable screws, screw size, number of cortices fixed, and indications for screw removal remain controversial. Conditions such as diabetes or advanced age are no longer contraindications to usual management recommendations.     

Ankle fractures. A clinical and roentgenographic stereophotogrammetric study

To analyze postoperative fracture stability and late ankle mortise mobility, 46 lateral malleolar and 53 bimalleolar ankle fractures were randomly separated to either early or late weight-bearing groups and followed for 18 months. Internal fixation with cerclage wires, staples, and pins were used. Better clinical results were found among the lateral malleolar compared with the bimalleolar fractures. Roentgenographic stereophotogrammetric analysis revealed only small movements in the ankle mortise during fracture healing, although a greater dorsal translation and outward rotation of the fibula were found among the pronation injuries compared with the supination injuries. The repair of a ruptured deltoid ligament was not necessary. An increased rigidity of the ankle mortise was found 18 months after injury. Internal fixation with cerclage wires, staples, and pins is a simple and reliable method that provides sufficient stability to allow immediate postoperative weight bearing in a walking cast for most ankle fractures.     

Does medial tenderness predict deep deltoid ligament incompetence in supination-external rotation type ankle fractures?

OBJECTIVE: To identify whether medial tenderness is a predictor of deep deltoid ligament incompetence in supination-external rotation ankle fractures. DESIGN: All Weber B lateral malleolar fractures with normal medial clear space over a 9 month period were prospectively included in the study. Fracture patterns not consistent with a supination-external rotation mechanism were excluded. SETTING: High-volume tertiary care referral center and Level I trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-five skeletally mature patients with a Weber B lateral malleolar fracture and normal medial clear space presenting to our institution were included. INTERVENTION: All study patients had ankle anteroposterior, lateral, and mortise radiographs. Each patient was seen and evaluated by an orthopedic specialist and the mechanism of injury was recorded. Each patient was assessed for tenderness to palpation in the region of the deltoid ligament and then had an external rotation stress mortise radiograph. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Correlating medial tenderness with deep deltoid competence as measured by stress radiographs. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (23.6%) were tender medially and had a positive external rotation stress radiograph. Thirteen patients (23.6%) were tender medially and had a negative external rotation stress radiograph. Nineteen patients (34.5%) were nontender medially and had a negative external rotation stress radiograph. Ten patients (18.2%) were nontender medially and had a positive external rotation stress radiograph. We calculated a chi statistic of 2.37 as well as the associated P value of 0.12. Medial tenderness as a measure of deep deltoid ligament incompetence had a sensitivity of 57%, a specificity of 59%, a positive predictive value of 50%, a negative predictive value of 66%, and an accuracy of 42%. CONCLUSION: There was no statistical significance between the presence of medial tenderness and deep deltoid ligament incompetence. There is a 25% chance of the fracture in question with medial tenderness having a positive external rotation stress and a 25% chance the fracture with no medial tenderness having a positive stress test. Medial tenderness in a Weber B lateral ankle fracture with a normal clear space on standard plain radiographs does not ensure the presence of a positive external rotation stress test.     

影响踝关节骨折术后功能的相关因素分析

目的 探讨影响踝关节骨折患者术后功能的相关因素. 方法回顾性研究2005年1月至2008年1月间收治的且获得完整随访资料的102例踝关节骨折患者资料,记录其年龄、性别、体重指数、骨折类型、受伤至手术时间、骨折解剖复位情况及术后有尤石膏外固定.应用术后X线片及Baird-Jackson评分系统对术后患者踝关节功能情况进行评分.对上述因素与术后踝关节功能的关系进行多因素分析. 结果 102例患者获得11～43个月(平均24.7个月)随访.分析发现年龄、骨折类型及骨折复位情况与术后踝关节功能呈负相关,而性别、体重指数、受伤至手术时间及术后有无石膏外固定与踝关节功能无明显相关性.外踝骨折伴有内侧副韧带损伤中内侧副韧带的保守治疗及下胫腓联合损伤处不恰当处理导致患者术后踝关节功能较差. 结论年龄越大、骨折类型越复杂,复位越不理想、踝关节功能越差.内侧三角韧带及下胫腓联合损伤的正确处理与否亦在一定程度上影响了患者术后踝关节功能.     

Diagnosing deltoid injury in ankle fractures: the gravity stress view

In the lateral malleolar ankle fracture without talar shift there is much uncertainty regarding the diagnosis of deltoid ligament injury severe enough to require surgical treatment. The current study evaluated the mechanical integrity of the ankle using a novel gravity-stress mortise radiographic view, which is practical for clinical use. Eight cadaveric lower extremities were tested under the following conditions: (1) intact ankle, (2) distal fibular oblique osteotomy, (3) plated fibula after osteotomy, (4) transection of the superficial deltoid with fibula osteotomized or plated, and (5) all possible combinations of deep deltoid transection with superficial deltoid transected or repaired and fibula osteotomized or plated. For each condition, a mortise radiograph was taken of the specimen while it was mounted horizontally, lateral side down. Fibular osteotomy with or without transection of the superficial deltoid did not alter the mortise radiograph appearance of the ankles. With combined deep and superficial deltoid transection and fibular osteotomy, the talus always (eight of eight specimens) showed a lateral shift of 2 mm or greater and a valgus tilt of 15 degrees or more. The gravity stress view of the ankle was found to reproducibly document destabilizing deltoid ligament damage.     

Ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in assessing deltoid ligament injury in supination external rotation fractures of the ankle

The medial deltoid ligament is the primary stabilizing structure in the ankle joint following lateral malleolar fracture. However, medial deltoid ligament ruptures are difficult to diagnose using current imaging modalities. We hypothesized that ultrasonography can be used to accurately allow early clinical assessment of ankle fracture stability, thereby negating the need to perform plain film stress views of the acutely injured ankle. This prospective study included 12 patients (age range, 18-72) with supination external rotation fractures requiring operative fixation. Following induction of anesthesia, ultrasonography examination was performed, followed by an arthrogram under fluoroscopic screening. Radiographs, ultrasonography, and arthrographic findings were compared. There was 100% correlation between ultrasonography and arthrogram findings. Ultrasonography accurately diagnosed medial deltoid rupture with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 100%. Plain film radiographs of the ankle had a sensitivity of 57.1% and a specificity of 60%. The difference between these was significant (χ(2)=.0091). This study demonstrates diagnostic ultrasonography to be an accurate diagnostic modality in assessing medial deltoid ligament integrity in patients with supination external rotation fractures. It offers the same sensitivity and specificity as arthrography without the need for additional invasive procedures. Its relative ease of use and lack of ionizing radiation make it a potentially useful tool, particularly in a busy trauma service.     

Dupuytren骨折的诊断和治疗

目的:探讨Dupuytren骨折的诊断和治疗。方法:20例患者中男14例,女6例;平均年龄32·8岁(19~65岁)。左踝12例,右踝8例。扭伤14例,坠落伤3例,车祸伤3例。开放伤5例,闭合伤15例。明确诊断时间:2h内13例,3d内5例,7d内2例。13例通过踝关节正侧位X线片确诊,5例在加摄小腿全长正侧位X线片后确诊,2例在行双踝外翻应力X线片对照检查后确诊。20例确诊患者均行腓骨解剖复位半管形钢板内固定,10例伴内踝骨折者在内踝复位后用松质骨螺钉或张力带固定,14例固定下胫腓联合。结果:通过对17例患者进行了1·3~6年(平均3·1年)的随访,根据Meyer和Kumler的踝关节功能评价标准,17例中优10例,良4例,一般2例,差1例(此例患者在2个月后踝关节正侧位X线片显示内踝踝穴增宽)。结论:对于Dupuytren骨折,早期准确的诊断和正确的外科治疗是恢复踝关节良好功能的关键。     

Stress examination of supination external rotation-type fibular fractures

BACKGROUND: Deltoid incompetence in association with an isolated fibular fracture is assumed to be present if there is medial tenderness, ecchymosis, or substantial swelling. We sought to determine whether these soft-tissue indicators predict deltoid incompetence by comparing such findings with the findings on stress radiographs. METHODS: Over a thirty-two-month period, 138 patients who presented acutely with a Weber type-B supination-external rotation (SE) fibular fracture were evaluated for tenderness (in nine locations), ecchymosis, and swelling. Patients who presented with an apparently isolated fibular fracture and an intact ankle mortise (with a medial clear space of < or =4 mm and no talar subluxation) were evaluated with a stress radiograph to determine deltoid competence. Four groups of patients were identified: those who had an SE2 fracture (defined as those who had a stable ankle on the stress radiograph), those who had a stress (+) SE4 fracture (defined as those who had an unstable ankle on the stress radiograph), those who had an SE4 fracture (defined as those who presented with a wide medial clear space), and those who had a bimalleolar fracture. These four groups were compared with regard to tenderness, swelling, and ecchymosis at the time of initial presentation. Patients with SE2 injuries were allowed immediate weight-bearing. RESULTS: Of the ninety-seven patients who presented with an isolated fibular fracture and an intact mortise, sixty-one had a stable SE2 injury and thirty-six had an unstable stress (+) SE4 injury. All stable SE2 injuries healed with an intact mortise. Medial tenderness, ecchymosis, and swelling were not predictive of deltoid incompetence (instability). CONCLUSIONS: Stress radiographs allow for the accurate diagnosis of deltoid incompetence in patients with Weber type-B SE fibular fractures and no other osseous injury. Soft-tissue indicators are not accurate predictors of instability. If medial tenderness, ecchymosis, and swelling are used as operative indications, in some cases surgery may be performed on stable ankles.     

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.     

Extraperiosteal plating of pronation-abduction ankle fractures

BACKGROUND: Pronation-abduction ankle fractures frequently are associated with substantial lateral comminution and have been reported to be associated with the highest rates of nonunion among indirect ankle fractures. The purpose of the present study was to report the technique for and outcomes of extraperiosteal plating in a series of patients with pronation-abduction ankle fractures. METHODS: Thirty-one consecutive patients with an unstable comminuted pronation-abduction ankle fracture were managed with extraperiosteal plating of the fibular fracture. The average age of the patients was forty-four years. There were nineteen bimalleolar and twelve lateral malleolar fractures with an associated deltoid ligament injury. No attempt to reduce the comminuted fragments was made as this area was spanned by the plate. The patients were evaluated functionally (with use of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score), radiographically, and clinically (with range-of-motion testing). RESULTS: Immediate postoperative and final follow-up radiographs showed that all patients had a well-aligned ankle mortise on the fractured side as compared with the normal side on the basis of standardized measurements. All fractures healed without displacement. At a minimum of two years after the injury, the average American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (available for twenty-one patients) was 82. The range of motion averaged 13 degrees of dorsiflexion and 31 degrees of plantar flexion, with one patient not achieving dorsiflexion to neutral. There were no deep infections, and one patient had an area of superficial skin breakdown that healed without operative intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Extraperiosteal plating of pronation-abduction ankle fractures is an effective method of stabilization that leads to predictable union of the fibular fracture. The results of this procedure are at least as good as those of other techniques of open reduction and internal fixation of the ankle, although specific results for pronation-abduction injuries have not been previously reported, to our knowledge.     

Anterior tibiofibular ligament avulsion fracture in weber type B lateral malleolar fracture

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, relationship with the ankle diastasis, and effect of treatment of the anterior tibiofibular ligament avulsion fracture (Wagstaffe fracture) combined with the Weber type B lateral malleolar fracture. METHODS: This study reviewed 94 cases of ankle fractures treated with operative methods. RESULTS: There were 52 cases of Weber type B lateral malleolar fractures and 13 cases of Wagstaffe fractures combined with them (25%). Ankle diastases were diagnosed in 20 cases (38.5%) in all Weber type B fractures and 11 (84.6%) of the 13 Wagstaffe fractures. CONCLUSION: The Wagstaffe fracture can be a good diagnostic clue of ankle diastasis in Weber type B lateral malleolar fracture. The accurate reduction and fixation of the avulsed fragment is important for restoration of the stable distal tibiofibular joint and to prevent the chronic ankle joint pain caused by impingement of the avulsed fragment.     

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.     

Clinical Study of Ankle Fracture Combined With Deltoid Ligament Injury: Repair or Not? A Retrospective,Comparative Study

This study retrospectively evaluated patients with ankle fracture to compare the prognosis between patients who had primary repair of the superficial deltoid ligament and those who did not. A total of 71 patients with ankle fracture and fracture-dislocation combined with deltoid ligament injury were divided into 2 groups: repair of superficial layer group (33 cases) and nonrepair group (38 cases). For the repair group, patients first underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the lateral malleolus and received a stress test. If the syndesmosis was widened, it would undergo fixation of the syndesmosis with screws. If instability of the ankle joint was observed, patients might further undergo repair of the superficial deltoid ligament. Ultimately, postoperative functions were evaluated using the Philips and Schwartz scale. All patients achieved bony union without significant pain. In the repair group, plantar and dorsi flexions were 2.5 ± 4.2° (range 0 to 10) and 7 ± 7.1° (range 0 to 20) less than the normal side, respectively. In the nonrepair group, the plantar and dorsi flexions were 2.8 ± 4.6° (range 0 to 10) and 6.6 ± 5.9° (range 0 to 20) less than the normal side. Meanwhile, the Philips and Schwartz scores of the repair and nonrepair groups were 92.5 ± 4.4 (range 80 to 100) and 93.4 ± 3.8 (range 85 to 100), respectively. But the difference of prognosis between the 2 groups was not statistically significant. In conclusion, for ankle joint fracture combined with deltoid ligament injury, routinely exploring or repairing the deltoid ligament was not recommended, but repair of the deltoid ligament increased stability of the ankle joint in the early postoperative stage.