The use of the combined stable-elastic fixation for unstable injuries of the ankle joint in trans-syndesmotic fractures of the tibia

Abstract

The problem of complications and the frequency of poor outcomes in the surgical treatment of ankle fractures with ti-biofibular syndesmosis (TFS) rupture (4.8–36.8 % of cases) remains significant. It was interesting from a scientific and practical point of view to conduct a clinical study to determine the effectiveness of the newly developed method of metal osteosynthesis for tibial fractures with TFS rupture, which would combine stability of tibial fixation and not limit the elastic qualities of TFS. The aim of the study: to determine the effectiveness of combined stable-elastic fixation for unstable injuries of the ankle joint in trans-syndesmotic fractures of the tibia. Materials and methods. On the basis of own clinical researches and data of literature sources, the method of the combined stable-elastic fixation for unstable injuries of the ankle joint in trans-syndesmotic fractures of the tibia is developed. The effectiveness of the proposed technique was evaluated 6 months after surgery on the Kitaoka scale. We have examined 12 patients with tibial fractures type 44 B1, B2 and B3 according to the AO classification, who underwent surgery using our methods. Results. The high efficiency of using the technique of combined stable-elastic fixation for unstable injuries of the ankle joint due to trans-syndesmotic fractures of the tibia has been determined. Good and excellent treatment results 6 months after surgery were observed in all 12 people (100 %), with excellent outcomes observed in 75 % of cases. There were no satisfactory and unsatisfactory treatment results. Conclusions. The study proves the high efficiency of the proposed method for combined stable-elastic fixation of ankle injuries in unstable trans-syndesmotic fractures of the tibia with TFS damage. There were 75 % excellent and 25 % good results within 6 months after surgery. A wider introduction of this technique into the practice of traumatologists of Ukraine is proposed.