The Treatment of Posterolateral Malleolar Fractures using Percutaneous Reduction Technique.
10.12671/jkfs.2009.22.1.19
- Author:
Jae Sung LEE
1
;
Han Jun LEE
;
Jae Hyun YOO
;
Hee Chun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yong-San Hospital, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea. gustinolhj@hanafos.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Percutaneous reduction;
Trimalleolar fracture;
Posterior malleolar fracture
- MeSH:
Animals;
Ankle;
Ankle Joint;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans
- From:Journal of the Korean Fracture Society
2009;22(1):19-23
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
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.
