Children's Ankle Fractures: Classification and Epidemiology

In an investigation of childhood and adolescence fractures (age groups 0-16) occurring in Malmo during 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970 and 1975-79, a total of 8682 were found. Four per cent or 373 ankle fractures were classified according to their roentgenological appearance.

Avulsion fractures of the tip of the lateral malleolus were the most frequent, followed by fractures involving the distal fibular physis. Triplane and Tillaux fractures were the third and fourth most common fracture groups. Tillaux fractures were more common in girls (0.01 > P > 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the sexes in the other fracture groups or in the whole series. Most injuries were caused by low energy trauma. A foot caught in a bicycle wheel resulted more often in an epiphyseal fracture of the lateral malleolus than any other type of fracture. Otherwise no other etiological factor caused a significant number of cases in any fracture group.

There was a seasonal variation with twice as many fractures during April and September as compared with July and December. The incidence showed a steady increase during growth which ceased after the early teens due to a lower incidence among girls in the age groups 15-16. The incidence increased significantly during the 30 years covered by this study.     

踝部特殊类型骨折的治疗

目的：对踝部骨折中特殊类型骨折的治疗方法进行探讨。方法：分析我院1988-2002年治疗的31例特殊类型骨折的治疗特殊性。结果：所有病例平均随访6个月，疗效用Leeds评估，优19例，良10例，差2例，优良率96.7％。结论：重视特殊类型踝关节骨折的I临床诊断，注意手术前后区别处理，强调其特殊性，从而获得良好治疗效果。     

Paratrooper's Ankle Fracture: Posterior Malleolar Fracture

BackgroundWe assessed the frequency and types of ankle fractures that frequently occur during parachute landings of special operation unit personnel and analyzed the causes.MethodsFifty-six members of the special force brigade of the military who had sustained ankle fractures during parachute landings between January 2005 and April 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The injury sites and fracture sites were identified and the fracture types were categorized by the Lauge-Hansen and Weber classifications. Follow-up surveys were performed with respect to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score, patient satisfaction, and return to preinjury activity.ResultsThe patients were all males with a mean age of 23.6 years. There were 28 right and 28 left ankle fractures. Twenty-two patients had simple fractures and 34 patients had comminuted fractures. The average number of injury and fractures sites per person was 2.07 (116 injuries including a syndesmosis injury and a deltoid injury) and 1.75 (98 fracture sites), respectively. Twenty-three cases (41.07%) were accompanied by posterior malleolar fractures. Fifty-five patients underwent surgery; of these, 30 had plate internal fixations. Weber type A, B, and C fractures were found in 4, 38, and 14 cases, respectively. Based on the Lauge-Hansen classification, supination-external rotation injuries were found in 20 cases, supination-adduction injuries in 22 cases, pronation-external rotation injuries in 11 cases, tibiofibular fractures in 2 cases, and simple medial malleolar fractures in 2 cases. The mean follow-up period was 23.8 months, and the average follow-up American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score was 85.42. Forty-five patients (80.36%) reported excellent or good satisfaction with the outcome.ConclusionsPosterior malleolar fractures occurred in 41.07% of ankle fractures sustained in parachute landings. Because most of the ankle fractures in parachute injuries were compound fractures, most cases had to undergo surgical repairs.     

踝关节镜在踝关节骨折治疗中的价值

目的探讨踝关节镜在踝关节骨折治疗中的价值。方法 2009年12月～2011年7月26例踝关节骨折在踝关节镜下探查踝关节腔,清理撕裂韧带、水肿滑膜、损伤软骨,在踝关节镜辅助下复位、固定骨折,修复、重建损伤的韧带。结果软骨损伤部位同时累及胫骨远端关节面及距骨上关节面6例;累及距骨内侧面12例,其中5例同时合并内踝损伤,1例同时合并内、外踝损伤;同时合并外踝及距骨外侧面损伤8例,其中1例同时合并内踝及距骨体部损伤。关节镜下软骨碎片取出术11例,软骨复位固定9例,关节面修整、微骨折术6例;距下关节镜检查示软骨损伤及韧带松弛5例,距跟韧带断裂3例,均在关节镜辅助下行修复重建术。手术时间40～160 min,平均90 min;术中出血量10～300 ml,平均100 ml。术中均无神经、血管损伤,术后无感染病例,切口一期愈合。术后3个月采用改良McGuire评分系统评定临床疗效：优15例（81～100分）,良9例（71～80分）,可2例（65～70分）。26例随访3～24个月,平均9个月,骨折全部愈合。结论踝关节镜辅助治疗踝关节骨折能够精确解剖复位关节面,及时发现、处理软骨、韧带等合并损伤,创伤小,治疗效果满意。     

Risk Factors for Ankle Fracture

Ankle fractures are frequently observed in postmenopausal women although the pattern of incidence and risk factor profile suggest that ankle fracture may not be a typical osteoporotic fracture. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of osteopenia and vertebral fracture and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), anthropometry, lifestyle and reproductive factors in women who have sustained an ankle fracture. We studied 103 women aged 50–80 years (mean 63.2, 7.9 SD) with ankle fracture. These were compared with 375 women aged 50–86 years (mean 64.5, 9.1 SD) from a population-based cohort. Bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine (LS) and contralateral proximal femur (including femoral neck (FN), Ward’s triangle (WT) and trochanteric region (TR)) was measured by DXA. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the calcaneus and proximal digits was measured using three different devices. Radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine were taken (anteroposterior and lateral views). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of osteoporosis (T<–2.5 level) at the LS, FN and WT sites. The population-based cohort had lower TR BMD than the ankle fracture cohort. Age-and weight-adjusted Z-scores of FN BMD were significantly lower in the ankle fracture group. Age- and weight-adjusted Z-scores of QUS gave contradictory results. There were no differences in the receiver operating characteristics of DXA compared with QUS. Twenty-seven women (7%) of the population-based cohort and 10 women (10%) of the ankle fracture cohort were found to have prevalent vertebral fractures; these were not significantly different. Nine percent of the population-based cohort and 26% of the ankle fracture cohort reported previous distal forearm fracture (p<0.001). The ankle fracture cohort had a higher weight and body mass index than the controls. All other lifestyle, medical and reproductive variables did not differ between the two groups. In summary, ankle fracture is not a typical osteoporotic fracture since the BMD was not decreased and the prevalence of vertebral fractures was not increased (although it may be associated with other limb fractures). It is likely that the increased body weight, by increasing the forces applied to the ankle in a fall, is a major risk factor for ankle fracture. Received: 18 April 2000 / Accepted: 25 July 2000     

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.

     

A New Intraoperative Syndesmosis Instability Classification System: Utility and Medium‐term Results in Closed Displaced Ankle Fractures

Objective

To investigate the utility and medium‐term results of a new intra‐operative classification system for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury in ankle fractures.

Methods

Between January 2010 and January 2015, 116 patients diagnosed with displaced closed Weber B and C ankle fractures were treated in our department. The etiology of injury was 56 cases of fall‐sprain, 36 of traffic injury, 14 of fall from a height, and 10 of multiple injuries. After fixation of the fibular fracture, we classify syndesmosis stability as either normal or one of three grades of instability using the fibular hook traction test. This determined further fixation selection and final syndesmosis treatment.

Results

Of 116 cases, 82 (71%) demonstrated a tibiofibular syndesmosis injury and 52 (45%) were unstable. Twenty‐six cases were type I injuries (<4 mm displacement), 41% cases were type II injuries (4–7 mm displacement), and 3% of cases were type III injuries (>7 mm displacement). Types II and III are defined as unstable and require stabilization. Type III injuries have multiplanar instability and require two screws at the syndesmosis. Weber C fractures demonstrate significantly greater degrees of instability than Weber B fractures (χ² = 15.50, P = 0.0014). All patients were followed up for 12–24 months, with no cases of non‐union or broken screws. Good and excellent results were achieved in 93% of cases (according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scoring system).

Conclusion

The syndesmosis instability classification system provides a rational and efficient basis for managing syndesmosis instability. Our results from application of the algorithm justify its further evaluation in the treatment of patients with closed displaced Weber B and C ankle fractures.

     

Paediatric Ankle Fractures: Guidelines to Management

IntroductionPaediatric ankle fractures represents about 5% of all paediatric fractures. It is the most common physis to be injured in the lower limb accounting to approximately 15–20% of all physeal injuries. This article reviews the literature on this common injury which still has many controversial areas and gives guidelines to management based on the existing evidence along with clinical experience gained from a Level I trauma center.ClassificationThe original Salter–Harris Classification with the additional types is a good system to guide on the management. The transitional fractures form a separate group with technically two broad types—biplane and triplane injuries. Though there are many sub-types in this group with some popular eponymous fractures, the treatment principles remain the same.ManagementA very low threshold for CT scan is recommended when there is a clinical suspicion of fracture with a negative radiograph or an intra-articular fracture in the radiograph especially in the adolescent age group. CT scan helps in accurate quantification of the intra-articular displacement and also helps to comprehend the fracture geometry better. All the intra-articular fractures with displacement > 2 mm need perfect anatomical reduction and stabilization. Assisted closed reduction and percutaneous fixation along with arthrogram to confirm articular congruity is acceptable as long as the reduction is perfect. Irrespective of the method of treatment, in children with more than 2 years of growth remaining it is important to counsel regarding the high incidence of pre-mature physeal closure and the need for regular follow-up.     

关节镜辅助治疗踝部骨折

目的探讨关节镜辅助治疗踝部骨折的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2005年9月～2008年1月关节镜辅助治疗21例踝部骨折的临床资料,采用关节镜监视下行踝部骨折闭合复位或小切口复位内固定术,并用美国足踝骨科协会(AOFAS)评分系统对患者术后关节功能进行评价。结果骨折均达到解剖复位,未发生相关并发症。平均随访15个月(6～25个月),术后骨折正常愈合,功能恢复良好。AOFAS评分:优14例,良5例,可1例,差1例,优良率90.5%。结论 利用踝关节镜辅助治疗踝部骨折,具有手术创伤小、恢复快及并发症少等优点,是治疗踝部骨折的有效方法。     

Compatibility of Lauge-Hansen Classification Between Plain Radiographs and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Ankle Fractures

We evaluated the accuracy of the predictive injury sequences of the Lauge-Hansen (L-H) classification using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with ankle fractures and determined the possible causes of mismatch. Sixty-five patients with ankle fractures who had a complete series of anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique radiographs and ankle MRI studies available were included. The fracture pattern was assigned by 2 senior orthopedic surgeons according to the L-H classification system. The syndesmotic ligaments, lateral collateral ligaments, and medial deltoid complex ligaments were evaluated on the preoperative MRI scans. Comparisons were performed between the predicted ankle ligamentous injury based on the radiographic L-H classification and preoperative MRI analysis. Of the 65 feet in 65 patients, 50 feet (76.9%) were classified as having a supination-external rotation (SER) fracture, 6 feet (9.2%) as having a pronation-external rotation fracture, 4 feet (6.2%) as having a supination adduction fracture, and 2 feet (3.1%) as having a pronation abduction fracture. The overall compatibility of the radiologic classification with the MRI classification was 66.1%. In the evaluation of 50 feet with the MRI SER designation, maximum compatibility was found for stage 4 (77.3%). The main cause for the discrepancy in the SER designation was missing the presence of deltoid ligament disruption on the plain radiographs, especially in the stage 2 and 3 SER fracture pattern. In the evaluation of deltoid complex injuries, all injuries were localized to the anterior part of the medial deltoid complex. The validity of the L-H classification system was low. A new classification system is needed to address the medial malleolus fracture or deltoid complex injuries without posterior injury. Also, stress radiographs could be added to standard radiographs for the classification to address deltoid complex injuries.     

Primary Ankle Arthrodesis for Neglected Open Weber B Ankle Fracture Dislocation

Primary ankle arthrodesis used to treat a neglected open ankle fracture dislocation is a unique decision. A 63-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 5-day-old open fracture dislocation of his right ankle. After thorough soft tissue debridement, primary arthrodesis of the tibiotalar joint was performed using initial Kirschner wire fixation and an external fixator. Definitive soft tissue coverage was later achieved using a latissimus dorsi free flap. The fusion was consolidated to salvage the limb from amputation. The use of primary arthrodesis to treat a compound ankle fracture dislocation has not been previously described.     

Incidence of Chondral and Osteochondral Lesions in Ankle Fracture Patients Identified With Ankle Arthroscopy Following Rotational Ankle Fracture: A Systematic Review

A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analyses guidelines on May 20, 2019. The keywords used were: ankle, distal tibia, distal fibula, fracture, arthroscopic, cartilage, and chondral. The objective of this study is to systematically review the characterization of intra-articular chondral injuries of the talus, tibial plafond, medial malleolus, and lateral malleolus in patients who undergo ankle arthroscopy following ankle fracture. Studies evaluating the incidence of chondral lesions at the time of arthroscopy for ankle fractures within any timeframe were included. The incidence of intra-articular chondral lesions was recorded, the location within the ankle, ankle fracture type, time of arthroscopy, characterization of chondral injury, complications, and outcome if available. Fifteen studies with 1355 ankle fractures were included. About 738 demonstrated evidence of chondral or osteochondral lesion (54.5%). Statistical analyses were carried out with statistical software package SPSS 24.0 (SPSS, Chicago, IL). We compared incidence rates of chondral injury based on Weber classification, malleolar fracture type, and Lauge-Hansen classification, using Pearson chi-square test. For all analyses, p < .05 was considered statistically significant. We found a high incidence of intra-articular chondral lesion in the setting of ankle fractures as demonstrated by arthroscopy.     

Blisters in Ankle Fractures: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The most frequent postoperative complications after an ankle fracture are usually skin related. We present the results of a retrospective study of 112 patients with ankle fracture who had undergone open reduction and internal fixation from January 2014 to December 2014. The following features were analyzed: patient comorbidities, fracture type, the presence of an open fracture or fracture-dislocation, timing and duration of surgery, preoperative glucose level, and short-term complications (i.e., blisters, wound dehiscence, deep and superficial infections, and reintervention). The mean age of the patients was 50.38 years. Fracture blisters were present in 20.5% of the cases. The operative time was 75.74 ± 25.09 minutes for patients with blisters and 64.48 ± 19.73 minutes for patients without blisters (p = .023). The preoperative blood glucose levels were 122.96 ± 28.46 g/dL in the patients with blisters and 106.70 ± 21.32 g/dL in the patients without blisters (p = .003). No statistically significant differences were observed between the patients who had undergone surgery <24 hours after injury and those who had done so >24 hours after injury. In conclusion, the presence of postoperative blisters in patients with ankle fractures was associated with prolonged surgical procedures and high serum glucose levels.