Early radiographic outcomes following deltoid ligament repair in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures

BackgroundIndications for deltoid ligament repair in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures are unclear. This study compared radiographic outcomes in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures undergoing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) +/? deltoid ligament repair.MethodsA retrospective review of 1024 ankle fractures was performed. Bimalleolar equivalent injuries treated with ORIF +/? deltoid ligament repair were included. Radiographic assessment was performed preoperatively, and at three months postoperatively.ResultsOne hundred and forty-seven ankle fractures met inclusion criteria with 46 undergoing deltoid ligament repairs. There was a significant decrease in medial clear space (1.93 ± 0.65 mm vs. 2.26 ± 0.64 mm, p = 0.01), and tibiofibular clear space (3.89 ± 1.20 mm vs. 4.87 ± 1.37 mm, p = 0.0001) at 3 months postoperative in the deltoid repair group compared to the no repair group. When syndesmotic fixation was performed, there were no differences between groups.ConclusionDeltoid ligament repair in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures resulted in reduced medial clear space, and tibiofibular clear space in the early postoperative period. These differences were small and remained within established normal limits.Level of clinical evidenceLevel III, retrospective cohort study.     

Adding deltoid ligament repair in ankle fracture treatment: Is it necessary? A systematic review

BackgroundDeltoid ligament injuries are typically caused by supination-external rotation or pronation injury. Numerous ligament reconstruction techniques have been proposed; however, clear indications for operative repair have not yet been well established in the literature.MethodsWe reviewed primary research articles comparing ORIF treatment for ankle fracture with versus without deltoid ligament repair.ResultsFive studies were identified with a total of 281 patients. 137 patients underwent ORIF with deltoid repair, while 144 patients underwent ORIF without deltoid ligament repair. Clinical, radiographic, and functional outcomes, as well as complications were considered. The average follow-up was 31 months (range, 5–120).ConclusionsCurrent literature does not provide clear indication for repair of the deltoid ligament at the time of ankle fracture repair. There may be some advantages of adding deltoid ligament repair for patients with high fibular fractures or in patients with concomitant syndesmotic fixation.Level of clinical evidence: III.     

踝关节骨折伴下胫腓联合分离的手术治疗及临床意义

目的探讨治疗踝关节骨折伴下胫腓联合分离的手术方法及临床意义。方法自2002年1月～2005年12月对112例伴踝关节骨折下胫腓联合分离行腓骨内固定或不固定,内踝内固定,三角韧带探查修复术。未固定下胫腓联合。术后随访6～36个月,平均20.8个月。结果用Mazur评分系统评估手术疗效:优98例,良14例。未见骨折不愈合、关节不稳及创伤性关节炎等并发症。结论对伴下胫腓联合分离的踝关节骨折行手术治疗时,除了固定内、外踝,还要修复三角韧带损伤。恢复了内、外侧所有结构的完整性后才能真正恢复下胫腓联合及踝关节的正常生物力学环境和稳定性,这时即使不固定下胫腓联合,也可以获得下胫腓联合的稳定。固定内、外踝和下胫腓联合,而三角韧带的损伤不修复,虽然下胫腓韧带可以获得愈合,但三角韧带会愈合不佳、韧带松弛及功能不良,最终仍会导致创伤性关节炎。     

Syndesmotic instability in Weber B ankle fractures: a clinical evaluation

OBJECTIVE: Syndesmotic instability may coexist with unstable Weber B supination-external rotation (SE) lateral malleolar fractures. Current recommendations suggest that Weber B injuries should not have associated syndesmotic instability after open reduction and internal fixation of the lateral malleolus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate syndesmotic stability with respect to the current recommendations for syndesmotic fixation in Weber B SE pattern lateral malleolar fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort, consecutive series. SETTING: Academic Level I trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Over a 7-year period, 238 skeletally mature patients with unstable SE pattern Weber B lateral malleolus fractures with deltoid ligament incompetence were evaluated. INTERVENTION: After lateral malleolar fixation, syndesmotic stability was evaluated by an external rotation stress examination under direct vision and fluoroscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of syndesmotic instability as defined by previously reported criteria. RESULTS: Syndesmotic instability was found in 93 of the 238 (39%) fractures after fixation. Instability was identified in the operating room in 92 of the 93 ankles. One case of instability was missed intraoperatively and diagnosed 2 weeks after surgery. All other patients were followed to union without displacement. CONCLUSIONS: We found syndesmotic instability to be common after anatomic and stable bony fixation in unstable Weber B SE pattern lateral malleolar fractures. Previously published criteria for syndesmotic instability based on cadaveric studies are not representative of the clinical situation. Syndesmotic instability in conjunction with unstable Weber B SE pattern lateral malleolar fractures must be sought out in the operating room with an intraoperative stress examination.     

Syndesmotic Internal Brace~(TM) for anatomic distal tibiofibular ligament augmentation

Reconstruction of unstable syndesmotic injuries is not trivial, and there is no generally accepted treatment guidelines. Thus, there still remain considerable controversies regarding diagnosis, classification and treatment of syndesmotic injuries. Syndesmotic malreduction is the most common indication for early re-operation after ankle fracture surgery, and widening of the ankle mortise by only 1 mm decreases the contact area of the tibiotalar joint by 42%. Outcome of ankle fractures with syndesmosis injury is worse than without, even after surgical syndesmotic stabilization. This may be due to a high incidence of syndesmotic malreduction revealed by increasing postoperative computed tomography controls. Therefore, even open visualization of the syndesmosis during the reduction maneuver has been recommended. Thus, the most important clinical predictor of outcome is consistently reported as accuracy of anatomic reduction of the injured syndesmosis. In this context the Tight Rope~?system is reported to have advantages compared to classical syndesmotic screws. However, rotational instability of the distal fibula cannot be safely limited by use of 1 or even 2 Tight Ropes~?. Therefore, we developed a new syndesmotic Internal Brace~(TM) technique for improved anatomic distal tibiofibular ligament augmentation to protect healing of the injured native ligaments. The Internal Brace~(TM) technique was developed by Gordon Mackay from Scotland in 2012 using Swive Locks~? for knotless aperture fixation of a Fiber Tape~? at the anatomic footprints of the augmented ligaments, and augmentation of the anterior talofibular ligament, the deltoid ligament, the spring ligament and the medial collateral ligaments of the knee have been published so far. According to the individual injury pattern,patients can either be treated by the new syndesmotic Internal Brace~(TM) technique alone as a single anterior stabilization, or in combination with one posteriorly directed Tight Rope~? as a double stabilization, or in combination with one Tight Rope~? and a posterolateral malleolar screw fixation as a triple stabilization. Moreover,the syndesmotic Internal Brace~(TM) technique is suitable for anatomic refixation of displaced bony avulsion fragments too small for screw fixation and for indirect reduction of small posterolateral tibial avulsion fragments by anatomic reduction of the anterior syndesmosis with an Internal Brace~(TM) after osteosynthesis of the distal fibula. In this paper, comprehensively illustrated clinical examples show that anatomic reconstruction with rotational stabilization of the syndesmosis can be realized by use of our new syndesmotic Internal Brace~(TM) technique. A clinical trial for evaluation of the functional outcomes has been started at our hospital.     

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.     

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.

     

Verletzungen der unteren tibiofibularen Syndesmose

The incidence of isolated distal tibiofibular syndesmotic ruptures in acute ankle sprains lies between 1% and 11%. These injuries are frequently overseen or misdiagnosed as anterolateral rotational instability of the ankle and often become apparent through protracted courses. Although the pathomechanics and extent of syndesmotic injuries have been systematically described by Lauge-Hansen and Weber, no generally accepted guidelines exist as to when these complex injuries are to be treated surgically to ensure sufficient and stable healing of the syndesmosis besides correct alignment of the distal fibula. So far, systematic follow-up regarding syndesmotic injuries in ankle fractures is missing, although it has long been recognized that tibiofibular diastasis secondary to chronic syndesmotic instability leads to external rotation of the talus. In combination with a valgus position of the talus, this instability leads to a decrease in the contact area which results in posttraumatic arthritic changes. This paper reviews the standard diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for acute syndesmotic ruptures in fracture dislocations of the ankle. Among the few corrective procedures advocated for chronic syndesmotic insufficiency are tibiofibular arthrodesis, synthetic ligament substitutes, and tenodesis with the peroneus brevis tendon. A sufficient reconstruction must restore the stability of the ankle mortise and alignment of the fibula in the tibiofibular incisura to ensure limitation of talar rotation. Therefore, a tenodesis was developed which substitutes the three important ligaments of the syndesmotic complex. The Casting procedure for chronic syndesmotic insufficiency was modified with reconstruction of the interosseous tibiofibular ligament in addition to the anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligaments. The resulting three-point fixation of the distal fibula appears more anatomically, physiologically, and biomechanically advantageous. The operative procedure is given in detail. Distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. Persistent instability of the distal syndesmosis. Ankle fractures. Syndesmotic screw.     

踝关节三角韧带损伤的手术治疗及效果

目的：探讨踝关节三角韧带损伤手术治疗的重要性。方法：2002年至2008年治疗伴有三角韧带损伤的踝关节骨折61例,男39例,女22例;年龄14～71岁,平均41岁。均采用切开复位和坚强内固定,并修复重建三角韧带,恢复踝关节内外侧结构的稳定性。结果：61例中59例切口Ⅰ期愈合;2例术后外踝伤口浅表感染,经换药于术后3周愈合,内踝伤口全部Ⅰ期愈合。全部病例获得随访,时间5～30个月。平均17个月。按疗效评定标准,本组优35例,良13例,可13例。结论：强调踝关节骨折切开解剖复位、坚强内固定的同时,应充分重视修复重建三角韧带。     

The Role of Deltoid Ligament Repair in Ankle Fractures With Syndesmotic Instability: A Systematic Review

Ankle fractures are the fourth most common fracture requiring surgical management. The deltoid ligament is a primary ankle stabilizer against valgus forces. It is frequently ruptured in ankle fractures; however, there is currently no consensus regarding repair. A systematic database search was conducted with Medline, PubMed, and Embase for relevant studies discussing patients with ankle fractures involving deltoid ligament rupture and repair. Screening, quality assessment, and data extraction were performed independently and in duplicate. Data extracted included pain, range of motion (ROM), function, medial clear space (MCS), syndesmotic malreduction, and complications. After screening, 9 eligible studies from 1990 to 2018 were included (N = 508). Compared to nonrepair groups, deltoid ligament repair patients had lower syndesmotic malreduction rates (0%-9% vs 20%-35%, p ≤ .05), fewer implant removals (5.8% vs 41% p ≤ .05), and longer operating time by 16-20 minutes (p ≤ .05). There was no significant difference for pain, function, ROM, MCS, and complication rate (p ≤ .05). In conclusion, deltoid ligament repair offers lower syndesmotic malreduction rates and reduced re-operation rates for hardware removal in comparison to trans-syndesmotic screws. Repair groups demonstrated equivalent or better outcomes for pain, function, ROM, MCS, and complication rates. Other newer syndesmotic fixation methods such as suture-button fixation require further evaluation when compared to the outcomes of deltoid ligament repair. A randomized control trial is required to further examine the outcomes of ankle fracture patients who undergo deltoid ligament repair versus trans-syndesmotic screw fixation.     

Deltoid ligament arthroscopic repair in ankle fractures: Case series

IntroductionDiagnosis and treatment of ankle medial ligament lesions in malleolar fractures has always been a matter of controversy. Even when deltoid involvement is clear, the direct repair of this structure is not a consensus. Recently, deltoid repair through an arthroscopic technique was described aiming to potentialize better clinical results and minimize complications.ObjectiveDemonstrate safety and functional results on patients with ankle fractures submitted to open reduction and internal fixation and arthroscopic deltoid repair.MethodsThis is a retrospective study in patients diagnosed with ankle fractures associated with acute deltoid injuries submitted to open malleolar fixation and deltoid arthroscopic repair between June 2016 and January 2020. All patients were evaluated for pain and functionality according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) at a minimum of 6 months follow-up.ResultsFrom January 2016 to January 2020, 20 ankles with fractures or dislocations were operated and the deltoid ligament rupture was repaired arthroscopically. A mean follow-up of 14.45 months (6-48) was observed, and patients presented an average AOFAS of 93.5 (SD 7.25) and a VAS of 0.75 (SD 1.05). Three minor complications were noticed and no signs of medial chronic instability, loss of reduction or osteoarthritis were observed.DiscussionThe repair of the deltoid complex and the low morbidity of the arthroscopic technique used may improve the clinical outcomes of these patients. Additional studies, with a prospective and comparative methodology are required to sustain this proposal.DesignLevel IV. Retrospective case series.     

Comparing Different Surgical Techniques for Addressing the Posterior Malleolus in Supination External Rotation Ankle Fractures and the Need for Syndesmotic Screw Fixation

Trimalleolar ankle fractures are unstable injuries with possible syndesmotic disruption. Recent data have described inherent morbidity associated with screw fixation of the syndesmosis, including the potential for malreduction, hardware irritation, and post-traumatic arthritis. The posterior malleolus is an important soft tissue attachment for the posterior inferior syndesmosis ligament. We hypothesized that fixation of a sizable posterior malleolar (PM) fracture in supination external rotation type IV (SER IV) ankle fractures would act to stabilize the syndesmosis and minimize or eliminate the need for trans-syndesmotic fixation. A retrospective review of trimalleolar ankle fractures surgically treated from October 2006 to April of 2011 was performed. A total of 143 trimalleolar ankle fractures were identified, and 97 were classified as SER IV. Of the 97 patients, 74 (76.3%) had a sizable PM fragment. Syndesmotic fixation was required in 7 of 34 (20%) and 27 of 40 (68%), respectively, when the PM was fixed versus not fixed (p = .0002). When the PM was indirectly reduced using an anterior to posterior screw, 7 of 15 patients (46.7%) required syndesmotic fixation compared with none of 19 patients when the PM fragment was fixated with direct posterior lateral plate fixation (p = .0012). Fixation of the PM fracture in SER IV ankle fractures can restore syndesmotic stability and, thus, lower the rate of syndesmotic fixation. We found that fixation of a sizable PM fragment in SER IV or equivalent injuries through posterolateral plating can eliminate the need for syndesmotic screw fixation.     

Triplane ankle fracture with deltoid ligament tear and syndesmotic disruption

In patients with immature skeletons, ligamentous injuries rarely accompany ankle fractures. In this article, we report about deltoid ligament tears and syndesmotic disruptions accompanying triplane ankle fractures in two children, and make recommendations as to the evaluation and treatment of children with such injuries.     

Comparison of Open Anterior Syndesmotic Repair Augmented With Suture-Tape and Trans-syndesmotic Screw Fixation: A Biomechanical Study

The treatment of syndesmotic injuries with ankle fractures is controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of open anterior syndesmotic repair with those of screw fixation. Ten matched pairs of human cadaver specimens were subjected to open syndesmotic repair or screw fixation. Each specimen underwent initial intact physiologic loading, consisting of 10 cycles of external torsional loading with a peak torque of 7.5 Nm at 0.05 Hz. Injuries of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament, tibiofibular interosseous membrane, and deltoid ligament were applied to each specimen. Postfixation cyclic loading consisted of 50 cycles of combined axial and external rotation loading with peak torques of 750 N and 7.5 Nm at a rate of 0.05 Hz. After postfixation loading, each specimen underwent failure loading by external rotation at 0.25 degrees/second. Failure torque and failure angle were measured. The paired t test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to analyze the data. Mean failure torques were 95.63 Nm in the open anterior syndesmotic repair augmented with suture-tape group and 108.61 Nm in the screw group. Mean failure angles were 34.93 degrees in the open anterior syndesmotic repair augmented with suture-tape group and 43.55 degrees in the screw group. These data were not statistically significantly different between the groups (p= .7682 and .4133, respectively). Open anterior syndesmotic repair augmented with suture tape for ankle syndesmotic injury provides similar torsional strength to that of screw fixation. Therefore, this technique can be considered as an alternative treatment option for syndesmosis injury.     

Displaced Salter-Harris Type I Distal Fibula Fractures: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

Salter-Harris type I (SH-I) fractures of the distal fibula are commonly encountered in pediatric orthopedics. We describe 2 unique cases of adolescents with completely displaced SH-I distal fibula fractures that were treated operatively. In the first case, a closed reduction attempt failed and the patient required open reduction and internal fixation of the distal fibula and syndesmosis. The syndesmotic ligaments were avulsed from the distal fibular metaphysis. In the second case, closed reduction of the distal fibula fracture was partially successful, but anatomic reduction could not be achieved without open reduction. The distal fibula fracture was fixed with an intramedullary screw. We believe this pattern of injury represents a variant of the adolescent transitional ankle fracture. Because the distal tibial physes were nearing complete closure in these patients, the energy propagated through the distal fibular physis. To the best of our knowledge, this combination of injuries has not been previously reported. This type of physeal fracture raises concern for premature physeal closure, fibular growth disturbance, syndesmotic instability, and medial (deltoid ligament) injury. Both patients had excellent outcomes after anatomic reduction and fixation of the displaced SH-I distal fibula fractures at 1 and 6 years of follow up, respectively.     

Weber B型和C型踝关节骨折术中下胫腓联合稳定性的评价

目的 探讨Weber B型和C型踝关节骨折术中下胫腓联合稳定性的评价方法及效果. 方法 2007年3月至2009年3月,收治231例Weber B型和C型踝关节骨折患者,术中踝关节骨折的骨性结构恢复后,在C型臂X线透视下通过腓骨外拉应力试验来检查下胫腓联合的稳定性. 结果 Weber B型踝关节骨折145例,42例(28.9%)出现下胫腓联合不稳定;C型踝关节骨折86例,62例(72.1%)出现下胫腓联合不稳定.下胫腓联合不稳定的踝关节骨折均进行了下胫腓联合固定. 结论 Weber B型和C型踝关节骨折在骨性结构被恢复后,下胫腓联合不稳定仍然有较高的发生率.术中通过C型臂X线透视下腓骨外拉应力试验能简单有效地对下胫腓联合的稳定性进行评价,可根据其稳定性来确定是否行下胫腓联合固定.     

Weber B型和C型踝关节骨折术中下胫腓联合稳定性的评价

目的 探讨Weber B型和C型踝关节骨折术中下胫腓联合稳定性的评价方法及效果. 方法 2007年3月至2009年3月,收治231例Weber B型和C型踝关节骨折患者,术中踝关节骨折的骨性结构恢复后,在C型臂X线透视下通过腓骨外拉应力试验来检查下胫腓联合的稳定性. 结果 Weber B型踝关节骨折145例,42例(28.9%)出现下胫腓联合不稳定;C型踝关节骨折86例,62例(72.1%)出现下胫腓联合不稳定.下胫腓联合不稳定的踝关节骨折均进行了下胫腓联合固定. 结论 Weber B型和C型踝关节骨折在骨性结构被恢复后,下胫腓联合不稳定仍然有较高的发生率.术中通过C型臂X线透视下腓骨外拉应力试验能简单有效地对下胫腓联合的稳定性进行评价,可根据其稳定性来确定是否行下胫腓联合固定.     

Syndesmotic Stabilization in Pronation External Rotation Ankle Fractures

Boden et al. suggested syndesmosis fixation was not necessary in distal pronation external rotation (PER) ankle fractures if rigid bimalleolar fracture fixation is achieved and was not necessary with deltoid ligament injury if the fibular fracture is no higher than 4.5 cm of the tibiotalar joint. We asked whether height of the fibular fracture with or without medial stability predicted syndesmotic instability as compared with intraoperative hook testing in these fractures. We reviewed 62 patients (35 male, 27 female) with a mean age of 45.6 years (range, 19–80 years). Using a bone hook applied to the distal fibula with lateral force to the distal fibula in the coronal plane, we fluoroscopically assessed the degree of syndesmosis diastasis in all patients. The mean height of the fibular fracture in patients with a positive hook test was higher than in patients with a negative hook test (54.2 mm; standard deviation [SD], 29.3 versus 34.8 mm; SD, 21.4, respectively). The height of the fibular fracture showed a positive predictive value of 0.93 and a negative predictive value of 0.53 in predicting syndesmotic instability; specificity of the criteria of Boden et al. was high (0.96). However, sensitivity was low (0.39) using the hook test as the gold standard. The criteria of Boden et al. may be helpful in planning, but may have some limitations as a predictor of syndesmotic instability in distal PER ankle fractures.     

Deltoid ligament repair versus trans-syndesmotic fixation for bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures

IntroductionThe role of deltoid ligament repair is controversial in the treatment of bimalleolar equivalent ankle injuries. Our purpose was to compare midterm functional outcomes and reoperation rates of unstable distal fibula fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of the fibula and either deltoid ligament repair, trans-syndesmotic fixation, or combined fixation.MethodsSkeletally mature subjects were retrospectively identified after fixation of isolated unstable distal fibula fractures treated at a single academic level 1 hospital from January 2005 to May 2019. The AAOS Foot and Ankle Module outcomes questionnaire (AAOS-FAM) was obtained at a mean time from surgery of 4.6 +/- 3.1 years. Subjects underwent one of three methods of fixation including distal fibula ORIF and one of the following: trans-syndesmotic fixation (N = 66), deltoid ligament repair (N = 16), or combined trans-syndesmotic fixation and deltoid ligament repair (N = 26). Outcomes scores and Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were compared between groups by Kruskal-Wallis testing for non-normally distributed data. Rates of reoperation were compared by Fisher's exact test. Statistical significance was set to P < 0.05 for all comparisons.ResultsThere was no significant difference in AAOS-FAM scores between the three groups (P = 0.18). No subjects in the deltoid ligament repair group underwent reoperation compared to 17 (26%) in the trans-syndesmotic fixation group and six (23%) in the combined fixation group. The most common reason for reoperation was removal of hardware, which was performed in 12 (18%) subjects in the trans-syndesmotic fixation group and three (12%) subjects in the combined fixation group.ConclusionsDirect deltoid ligament repair yields similar functional scores and fewer reoperations compared to trans-syndesmotic fixation at midterm follow up. Deltoid ligament repair may be a favorable treatment strategy when considering trans-syndesmotic fixation in the surgical treatment of unstable distal fibula fractures.     

Deltoid ligament reconstruction with autologous gracilis tendon in chronic medial ankle instability after ankle fracture surgery: A case report

IntroductionThe repair of a deltoid ligament injury, following an ankle fracture with involvement of the syndesmosis, has no univocal consensus. Also the surgical strategies in case of a subsequent chronic instability are still under debate. In this work the result of a double bundle anatomic reconstruction of deltoid ligament with ipsilateral autologous gracilis muscle tendon is presented.Case reportA 50 year old active male patient came to our attention with a catastrophic medial ankle instability, a severe pronation of the hindfoot and disabling ankle pain. He reported a Weber type B fracture of the left ankle with a lesion of the syndesmosis treated with anatomic plate and screws and a transyndesmotic screw 8 months before. The imaging showed a complete deltoid ligament lesion. Due to the impossibility of a direct repair of the ligament, we performed the reconstruction of the medial ligamentous complex with an autologous gracilis tendon graft. 10 months after the medial ligamentous complex reconstruction, the patient showed an excellent recovery of walking ability, disappearance of pain under load and resumed an active lifestyle.DiscussionThe deltoid ligament has a key role in ankle joint stability and its integrity promotes the recovery after ankle fractures. However, its lesion is often left untreated in the acute setting. The result of a chronic untreated deltoid ligament injury could be extremely disabling and the ligament reconstruction, when an optimal native deltoid ligament repair is not achievable, is the choice to restore ankle function and stability.ConclusionIn the delayed treatment of a deltoid ligament rupture the described double bundle anatomic reconstruction with autologous tendon graft can be an effective and suitable option.