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PloS One 2024Weber Type B fractures often arise from external rotation with the foot supinated or pronated. Altered tibiofibular joint kinematics in Weber B fractures are responsible...
Weber Type B fractures often arise from external rotation with the foot supinated or pronated. Altered tibiofibular joint kinematics in Weber B fractures are responsible for syndesmotic damage seen in Weber B fractures. Weber B fractures are managed using open reduction and internal fixation if displaced. The syndesmosis is injured in up to 40% of cases resulting in an unstable injury with a syndesmotic diastasis. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current literature on syndesmotic fixation in Weber B fractures, assess the outcomes and complications of syndesmotic fixation and assess the necessity of syndesmotic fixation in Weber B fractures. A search was carried out on the EMBASE, PubMed and CINAHL databases and eight studies assessing the outcomes of syndesmotic fixations versus no syndesmotic fixation with 292 Weber B ankle fractures were included in this systematic review. Results showed significant heterogeneity so a narrative review was conducted. Results of these studies showed that functional, radiological, and quality-of-life outcomes and incidences of post-traumatic osteoarthritis in patients with syndesmotic screws were similar to those of patients not managed with syndesmotic screws. Only one favoured syndesmotic fixation in all cases of diastasis. As such, syndesmotic fixation with screws may not be necessary in the management of Weber B fractures. Screws are also associated with breakage, loosening, local irritation and infections. Suture button devices and antiglide fixation techniques appear to be valid alternatives to syndesmotic screws. It was found that there was no need for routine hardware removal unless the hardware was causing significant side effects for the patient.
Topics: Humans; Ankle Fractures; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Ankle Injuries; Ankle Joint; Bone Screws; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38857233
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304148 -
Bone & Joint Open Mar 2024Posterior malleolar (PM) fractures are commonly associated with ankle fractures, pilon fractures, and to a lesser extent tibial shaft fractures. The tibialis posterior...
AIMS
Posterior malleolar (PM) fractures are commonly associated with ankle fractures, pilon fractures, and to a lesser extent tibial shaft fractures. The tibialis posterior (TP) tendon entrapment is a rare complication associated with PM fractures. If undiagnosed, TP entrapment is associated with complications, ranging from reduced range of ankle movement to instability and pes planus deformities, which require further surgeries including radical treatments such as arthrodesis.
METHODS
The inclusion criteria applied in PubMed, Scopus, and Medline database searches were: all adult studies published between 2012 and 2022; and studies written in English. Outcome of TP entrapment in patients with ankle injuries was assessed by two reviewers independently.
RESULTS
Four retrospective studies and eight case reports were accepted in this systematic review. Collectively there were 489 Pilon fractures, 77 of which presented with TP entrapment (15.75%). There were 28 trimalleolar fractures, 12 of which presented with TP entrapment (42.86%). All the case report studies reported inability to reduce the fractures at initial presentation. The diagnosis of TP entrapment was made in the early period in two (25%) cases, and delayed diagnosis in six (75%) cases reported. Using modified Clavien-Dindo complication classification, 60 (67%) of the injuries reported grade IIIa complications and 29 (33%) grade IIIb complications.
CONCLUSION
TP tendon was the commonest tendon injury associated with pilon fracture and, to a lesser extent, trimalleolar ankle fracture. Early identification using a clinical suspicion and CT imaging could lead to early management of TP entrapment in these injuries, which could lead to better patient outcomes and reduced morbidity.
PubMed: 38545805
DOI: 10.1302/2633-1462.53.BJO-2023-0139 -
The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery :... 2024Open reduction and internal fixation are the standard of care to stabilize tibial plafond fractures. However, it remains uncertain as to whether fixation of the fibula... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Should We Fix the Fibula in Tibial Plafond Fractures? A Meta-analysis Reviewing the Evidence Base for Fibula Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in Tibial Plafond Fractures.
Open reduction and internal fixation are the standard of care to stabilize tibial plafond fractures. However, it remains uncertain as to whether fixation of the fibula affects the outcome. This study aimed to review the evidence base for comparable outcomes in tibial plafond fractures when undergoing open reduction and internal fixation of ipsilateral fibula fractures compared with open reduction and internal fixation of the tibia alone. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was completed; 4 studies were included for analysis. This study demonstrated no statistically significant differences in the incidence of nonunion (p = .784) or mal-union (p = .416). There was a greater rate of removal of metalwork in the fibula operative group compared to the tibia alone group (p < .001). The current evidence demonstrates that open reduction and internal fixation of ipsilateral fibula fractures in tibial plafond fractures is not necessarily routinely indicated for all fractures.
Topics: Humans; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Fibula; Tibial Fractures; Open Fracture Reduction; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38151112
DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2023.12.007 -
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery Feb 2024The sinus tarsi approach (STA) has gained popularity for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. No large studies comparing wound complications...
Geographical Differences in Wound Complication Rates Following the Sinus Tarsi Approach in Displaced Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
BACKGROUND
The sinus tarsi approach (STA) has gained popularity for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. No large studies comparing wound complications worldwide after STA surgery are available. The aim of this systematic review was to compare postoperative wound complication (POWC) and postoperative wound infection (POWI) rates following STA surgery between continents and countries and their differences in climate.
METHODS
A literature search was performed using the databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Studies published before January 1, 2000, including < 10 patients and written in a language other than English were excluded.
RESULTS
In total, 86 studies containing 4,392 surgeries via STA from 20 different countries were included. The mean POWC was 5.9% and the mean POWI was 4.4%. The highest median POWC rate was in North America (8.5%) and the lowest in South America (2.0%). No significant differences were found in the POWC and POWI rates between countries ( = 0.178 and = 0.570, respectively), but significant differences were found between the POWC and POWI rates between continents ( = 0.011 and = 0.036, respectively). The number of surgeries per year and climate differences, as represented by mean local temperature, were not correlated with both the POWC/POWI rates and functional outcome scores.
CONCLUSIONS
Significant differences between the POWC and POWI rates were found between continents but not between individual countries. With a mean POWC of 5.9% and a mean POWI rate of 4.4%, STA has an intrinsic low risk for complications given the minimally invasive nature of the approach and is inevitably becoming the gold standard for calcaneal surgery.
Topics: Humans; Heel; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Fractures, Bone; Calcaneus; Surgical Wound Infection; Ankle Injuries; Foot Injuries; Treatment Outcome; Intra-Articular Fractures; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38304215
DOI: 10.4055/cios23241