MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE ANKLE FRACTURES Dr UDAY KUMAR MS(Orth) DNB(Orth) SAGAR HOSPITALS SINDHI HOSPITAL CHINMAYA HOSPITAL BANGALORE Jan 9, 2015
MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE ANKLE FRACTURES
Dr UDAY KUMAR MS(Orth) DNB(Orth)
SAGAR HOSPITALSSINDHI HOSPITALCHINMAYA HOSPITAL BANGALORE
Jan 9, 2015
- ankle fractures ----- between 107 and 187 per 100,000 persons per year
-Unimalleolar fractures-- most common -- 70%
-most common mechanism is---- supination injury foll by pronation
-more common in --- young men aged 15–24 yrs -- older women
INCIDENCE
Clinical features-H/O severe twisting, abduction or adduction injuries.
-Severe pain.-Inability to stand on the affected limb.-Swelling and deformity.-Tenderness on one or both malleoli.
Skin-soft tissue injury—closed/open
Nerves
Vasculature
Co-morbidities---diabetes smoking alcohol
Evaluate
Initial Management-Pain control
-RICE -Rest -Immobilise---splint -Compression bandage -Elevation
X rays
-Ankle Series AP mortise lateral
AP
Lateral
Mortise
- fractures of malleoli - distal tibia/fibula - talar dome - body and lateral process of
talus
Antero-posterior view
• Tibiofibular clear space: <5mm• Tibiofibular over lap: >10mm
• Talar Tilt: difference in width of med &lat aspect of joint–
<2mm
Measurements in AP view
-Foot in 15-20 degrees internal rotation
-Evaluate articular surface between talar dome and mortise
Mortise view
-Medial clear space: <4mm
•Posterior malleolar fractures
•AP talar subluxation
•Distal fibular translation &/or angulation
•Associated or occult injuries–Lateral process talus–Posterior process talus–Anterior process calcaneus
Lateral View
Evaluation: RadiographicOther Imaging Modalities
• Stress Views– Gravity – Manual
• CT– Articular involvement– Posterior malleolus
• MRI– Ligament and tendon
injury – Talar dome lesions– Syndesmosis injuries
Weber/AO classificationbased on level of fibula fracture
A – Below syndesmosis
B – At syndesmosis
C – Above syndesmosis
Classification: Lauge-Hansen meets Danis-Weber
Simple Classification Stable Unstable
• Stable fractures– Most commonly involve
medial or lateral side only
– Talus remains anatomic relative to tibia
Unstable fractures
– Disruption of 2 or more aspects of the mortise -- bone and/or ligament
– Talus may sublux or be dislocated from tibia
Stable Examples
Unstable Examples
Management
-Stable Ankle fracture --- short leg cast for 6 weeks
- Cast patients reduced hospital stay lower cost of treatment
Non-operative
Surgical Indications
• Bimalleolar / trimalleolar fractures
• Syndesmotic disruption
• Talar subluxation
• Open fractures
Soft tissue injury
• Debridement• External fixator and delayed ORIF
Basic Set-Up
• Supine position most common– Occasionally prone for direct approach to posterior
malleolus• Bump beneath ipsilateral buttocks (allows easier
approach to fibula)• Tourniquet• Prep / drape to above knee • Pre-op antibiotics• Fluoroscopy or X-ray
Instrumentation
• Small fragment set• Cannulated screws• K-wires• Cerclage wire • Power• Have mini-frag
available
Ankle Fracture
ORIF PLAN
Uni malleolar fracture
Fix with -- Two 4 mm cancellous screws --TB wire --plate
Bimalleolar fracture
Plate fibula
Two 4 mm cancellous screws in medial malleolus
Tri-malleolar fracture
Plate fibula Two 4 mm cancellous screws in med malleolus
fix posterior malleolus if >20 - 25% articular surface involved
Fixation techniques
Lateral Malleolus
• One-third tubular plate & 3.5 mm cortex screws
– Lateral– Posterior
• 3.5mm compression plate for unstable fractures
-avoid superficial peroneal nerve injury
Lateral Malleolus
• Locking plates -- lateral or posterolateral • Osteoporotic bone• Unstable fractures• Distal fractures
Lateral Malleolus in very distal fibula fractures
• Hook Plate• K wire with cerclage wire . Lag screw/Rush pin
Medial Malleolus
• Two partially threaded 4.0 mm cancellous screws
• K-wires with cerclage wire
• Buttress plate
Posterior Malleolus fixation
If involvement is > 25% of Articular surface > 2mm Displacement Persistent Posterior subluxation of talus
Anterior to posterior
Posterior to anterior
Posterior Malleolus
Syndesmosis Fixation
• Syndesmotic instability checked after fixation of malleolus
• Consider if fibula fracture > 4 cm above joint line
• Have bone hook on back table to check stability
Syndesmosis
• large or small fragment fully threaded screws, one or two
• Not inserted as lag screw, but as a positioning screw
• May be removed in 6 - 12 weeks
• Bioresorbable screws/Tight rope
Postoperative Care
• Well padded splint immobilization for a few days
• Ice and elevation• Non weight bearing for 6 weeks
• Early conversion to brace and ROM
Thank you