It is known that the Salter-Harris type I and II fractures of the distal tibial epiphysis usually
Non-comminuted closed displaced medial malleolar fracture has been treated by open
reduction and internal fixation. Since fracture fragment of medial malleolar is usually thiner and
smaller than that of lateral malleolar, it is more difficult to fix firmly than that of lateral
malleolar. In the treatment of medial malleolar fracture, although various fixation methods in the
treatment of medial malleolar fracture have been reported, several complications have been
reported. And then authors have been tried to find fixation methods and firm fixation material
for medial malleolar fracture to minimize complications. The purpose of this paper is to compare
operation time, duration of bone union, the presence of complication, and results by Meyer and
Kumler criteria between Herbert and malleolar screw and to introduce percutaneous Herbert
screw fixation technique. Since March 1996, forty-four patients had undergone surgical
intervention for medial malleolar fractures. Twenty-three Herbert screw and twenty-one
malleolar screws were used. The results were as follows; The operation time was shorter in
Herbert screw fixation group. There were no complications such as pain and tenderness due to
hardware protrusion and metal lossening in Herbert screw fixation group. We come to the
coonclusion that the Herbert screw fixation method was a little better than the malleolar screw
fixation method according to comparison by Meyer and Kumler ctireria.
We concluded that Herbert screw fixation was a better method for non-comminuted closed
displaced medial malleolar fracture to obtain early union and to prevent postoperative
complications.