Purpose This study aimed to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the size of the posterior malleolar fragment measured using lateral plain radiography and three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) in patients with ankle trimalleolar fractures. Materials and Methods This study enrolled 80 patients (80 ankles) with ankle trimalleolar fractures and analyzed the size of the posterior malleolar fragments using plain radiography and 3D-CT. The articular involvement of the posterior malleolar fragments was measured as a percentage of the articular surface in the sagittal length of the tibial plafond using lateral plain radiography, and the articular surface area was directly measured using 3D-CT. In addition, we classified the patients into three groups based on the morphology of the posterior malleolar fracture, according to the Haraguchi classification method, and evaluated and compared the accuracy of the size of the posterior malleolar fragments. Results The mean articular involvement of the posterior malleolar fragments on plain radiography was 27.6% (range, 6.0%-53.1%), which was significantly higher than the mean of 21.9% (range, 4.7%-47.1%) measured using 3D-CT (p=0.004). In the analysis, according to the fracture morphology, the mean difference between the two methods was the largest for type I fractures at 9.1% (range, 1.8%-19.5%) and the smallest for type II fractures at 1.1% (range, –7.7% to 8.8%). Conclusion The articular involvement of posterior malleolar fragments measured using plain radiography showed low accuracy and significantly higher values than the actual articular involvement. Therefore, careful evaluation using 3D-CT is crucial for accurate analysis and optimal treatment in patients with ankle trimalleolar fractures.
PURPOSE To analyze the long term follow up results of treatment with posterolateral approach and to investigate its usefulness in the patients of trimalleolar fracture with posterior fragment which is above 25% of articular involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS There were 34 cases of trimalleolar fracture in our hospital from May 2004 to April 2008. We investigated 20 patients who underwent operation with the posterolateral approach and over-2 years follow up cases. The mean follow up period was 34 (24~58) months. Preoperative posterior malleolar fragment involved above 25% of articular surface in all cases and displaced more than 2 mm in 11 cases. We analyzed the radiologic type of posterior malleolar fragments and evaluated the function and pain through AOFAS score and complications. RESULTS All cases showed primary union at mean 13.1 weeks. The complications are that partial ankylosis result of soft tissue contracture is seen in 2 cases (10%) and post-traumatic arthritis is seen in 1 cases (5%) and 17 cases (85%) of all patients are showed excellent AOFAS score. CONCLUSION The posterolateral approach is a valuable method because that it enables us to easily reduction and internal fixation of the posterior malleolus and lateral malleolus at one time and the results are satisfied for a long time follow up.
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Outcomes of Immediate Operative Treatment of Ankle Trimalleolar Open Fractures Jun-Young Lee, Yong-Jin Cho, Sin-Wook Kang, Yung-Min Cho, Hyun-Bai Choi Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society.2020; 24(1): 25. CrossRef
PURPOSE To evaluate the usefullness of the percutaneous reduction technique with K-wire that could reduce the displaced posterolateral fracture fragment which persisted even after an anatomical reduction of the lateral malleolar fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS From January 2004 to December 2006, we reviewed 72 patients who underwent surgical treatment for their trimalleolar fractures. We estimated the clinical and radiological results of 5 cases treated by percutaneous reduction technique with K-wire when more than the distal tibial articular step-off was left after reduction of the lateral malleolar fracture. The method of reduction starts with temporary fixation of lateral malleolar fracture followed by checking ankle radiographic image to confirm the accuracy of reduction. In case of incomplete reduction of the posterior fragment, a K-wire is inserted into the posterior fragment and pushed downward to the ankle joint level, and then lag screws were inserted. RESULTS The average articular involvement by the posterolateral fracture fragment was 30.2%. The average step-off after reduction of the lateral malleolar fracture was 3.7 mm. At the final follow up, step-off was less than 2 mm in all cases. In clinical results by Baird and Jackson score, 3 out of 5 cases were excellent, other 2 were good. CONCLUSION Percutaneous reduction technique for posterolateral fragment using the K-wire is relatively easy. This technique may be useful when the posterolateral fragment is large (more the 25% of articular surface) and not severely comminuted.
PURPOSE To evaluate the accuracy of X-ray evaluation in classification, displacement and size of posterior malleolar fragment, comparing with three dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) in trimallelar ankle fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS 20 cases of trimalleolar ankle fractures evaluated with preoperative 3D CT, and followed up periods were at least 2 years. All cases were classified according to the Danis-Weber and Lauge-Hansen classification. Displacement and size of posterior malleolar fragment were measured using PACS. The reliability between simple X-ray and 3D CT was evaluated in the Danis-Weber and Lauge-Hansen classification (kappa analysis). The correlation between simple X-ray and 3D CT was evaluated in displacement and size of posterior malleolar fragment (correlation analysis). RESULTS Degree of agreement of Danis-Weber classification in simple X-ray and 3D CT was 0.700 kappa value, and that of Lauge-Hansen was 0.605 kappa value. Measurement of simple X-ray and 3D CT about displaced status of posterior malleolar fragment showed statistically significant positive linear correlation (p= 0.000), but correlation of measurement of size in simple X-ray and CT was not statistically significant (p=0.102). CONCLUSION CT or operative field will be more accurate than simple X-ray to select the method of treatment and operation, especially when the displacement and size of posterior malleolar fragment are important to decide.
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Comparison of the Size of the Posterior Malleolar Fragment in Trimalleolar Ankle Fractures Measured Using Lateral Plain Radiography and Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Gun-Woo Lee, Dong-Min Jung, Woo Kyoung Kwak, Keun-Bae Lee Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2022; 35(3): 91. CrossRef
PURPOSE There are some criticisms of indication for internal fixation of the posterior malleolar fragments in trimalleolar fractures. We tried to find out clinical and radiologic factors which affect on a clinical outcome of trimalleolar fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty three patients who were treated for trimalleolar fractures and given anatomical reduction of lateral and medial malleolus were included. We divided patients into two groups, a group without the pain and the other group with the pain. Preoperative and postoperative lateral plain radiographic films were used to estimate fragment size, post-reduction gap and step off. By reviewing the medical records, other factors such as the time of ankle motion, weight loading and whether posterior malleolus was fixed. or not were stucdied. A clinical outcome was evaluated by AOFAS(American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) scaling system. We performed statistical analysis using Logistic regression analysis and Chi-square test on each factors. RESULTS There was no definite difference between two groups on the functional outcome. There was one case showing limited ankle motion. Seven patients were involved in the group with the pain and 23 in the group without the pain. The remnant fracture gap and step off of joint surface statistically showed the meaningful corellation with the pain but a fragment size and a surgical fixation, time of motion and weight loading did not show any significances. CONCLUSION We doubt the significance of the size of posterior malleolar fragment. We concluded that anatomical reduction of posterior malleolus is the most significant factor of a clinical outcome regardless of the size or internal fixation, especially the pain after trimalleolar injuries.
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Treatment of Isolated Posterior Malleolus Fracture in the Ankle Ji Hoon Kim, Seong Mu Cha, Dae Yeon Jo, Jin Soo Suh Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association.2014; 49(1): 29. CrossRef
Treatment of the Posterior Malleolar Fracture Using Posterior Approach Hyun Wook Chung, Dong Hwan Kim, Si Hoon Yoo, Jin Soo Suh Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2010; 23(1): 50. CrossRef
Radiologic Analysis and Treatment of Posterior Malleolar Fractures of the Ankle Jae Sung Lee, Soo Yong Kang, Han Jun Lee, Young Bong Ko Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2009; 22(2): 98. CrossRef
Injuries about the ankle joint resulted in not only fractures of the bone but also ruture of the ligamentous and soft tissue structures and it is important that accurate reduction and rigid internal fixation of fracture as well as repair of ruptured ligament should be performed.
The author analyzed 35 cases of the trimalleolar fractures of the ankle which were admitted and treated in Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital from january 1984 to December 1988.
The results obtained from this study were as follows; 1. Among the 35 cases, male was 25 cases(71.4%), female was 10 cases(28.6%), and average age was 37.43 years.
2. The main cause of the fracture was 18 cases of slip down(51.43%), and other causes were traffic accident(22.86%), fall from a height(17.14%), sports injury(5.71%), and other injuries(2.86%).
3. Open fractures were 2 cases(5.7%), and closed fractures 33 cases(94.3%).
4. According to the classification of Lauge-Hansen, the pronation-external rotation type was 22 cases(62.86%), and the supination-external rotation type, 13 cases(37.14%).
5. Open reduction was performed in 25 cases(71.43%), and closed reduction 10 cases(28.57%).
6. The average period of the cast immobilization after open reduction was 10.7 weeks, and 8. Fractures with a posterior marginal fragment invoving 25 percent of more of the tibial articular surface, open reduction was recommended.
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Treatment of the Trimalleolar Fracture Using Posterolateral Approach: Minimum 2-year Follow Up Results Gwang Chul Lee, Jun-Young Lee, Sang-Ho Ha, Jae-Won You, Sang-Hong Lee, Hong-Moon Sohn, Ki-Young Nam, Kwang-Hyo Seo Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2011; 24(4): 328. CrossRef
Treatment of the Posterior Malleolar Fragment of Trimalleolar Fracture Using Posterolateral Approach - Preliminary Report - Jun-Young Lee, Sang-Ho Ha, Kyung-Hwan Noh, Sang-Jun Lee The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association.2009; 44(4): 422. CrossRef
The Treatment of Posterolateral Malleolar Fractures using Percutaneous Reduction Technique Jae-Sung Lee, Han-Jun Lee, Jae-Hyun Yoo, Hee-Chun Kim Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2009; 22(1): 19. CrossRef