OBJECTIVETo explore individual choice and therapeutic effect of distal fibula internal fixation in treating ankle fractures in elderly.

METHODSFrom May 2012 to April 2015, 68 elderly patients with ankle fractures were treated by surgical operation, included 37 males and 31 females with an average of 69.2 years old ranging from 62 to 81 years. According to Danis-Weber classification, there were 19 cases belong to type A, 31 cases belong to type B, and 18 cases belong to type C. According to Lange-Hanson classification, 22 cases were supinatio-extorsion, 18 were pronate-extorsion, 19 were supinatio-adduction, and 9 were pronate-abduction. All patients were performed individyually with different internal fixation methods for the treatment of distal fibula fracture according to different types of fracture. Clinical results were evaluated based on clinical examination, radiographic evaluation and AOFAS score.

RESULTSTwelve patients were treated with Herbert screw, 7 cases with Kirschner wire tension band, 5 cases with 1/3 tube plate, 6 cases with reconstruction plate, 17 cases with fibular end dissection steel plate composite, and 21 cases with distal fibula anatomic locking plate. All patients were followed up from 12 to 26 months with an average of 17.7 months. The operative incision of all patients were primary healed. And there was no bone nonunion, ankle instability, internal fixation loosening and fracture occurred. Fracture healing time ranged from 2.7 to 4 months with an average of 3.2 months, and had significant differences among different groups(<0.05). There were no statistical differences in AOFAS score, VAS score and motion of ankle joint among different internal fixation groups(>0.05). Dorsal stretch was 6° to 18° with an average of 15°, plantar flexion ranged from 26°to 47° with an average of 37°. AOFAS score at the latest following-up was 88.4±4.3, 34 patients got an excellent result, 30 good and 4 fair.

CONCLUSIONSGood clinical results could be obtained by using individualized internal fixation for distal fibula fracture for the treatment of the ankle fractures in elderly.