Functional outcome of surgical management of ankle fractures with syndesmotic injury

Abstract

Background: Ankle fractures with Syndesmotic injury are common in Orthopaedic practice. Ankle fractures are the second most common significant lower extremity fractures. Syndesmotic ankle injuries disrupt normal joint functioning, hence need meticulous diagnosis and surgical management to prevent crippling disabilities. Objective: To evaluate the functional outcome of surgically managed ankle fractures with Syndesmotic injury using AOFAS score. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 patients diagnosed as ankle fractures with Syndesmotic injury, underwent Syndesmotic screw fixation using 3.5mm cortical screws in addition to anatomical fixation of medial and lateral malleolus. Functional outcome was analyzed at 6 months using AOFAS score. Results: In this study, 42.5% (17 patients) of patients had excellent outcome, 45% (18 patients) patients had good outcome, 7.5% (3 patients) had fair outcome, while 5% (2 patients) had poor outcome. 2 patients developed superficial wound infection, treated with IV antibiotics. One patient developed non union and one patient with ankle stiffness. Conclusion: For all cases of Ankle fractures with Syndesmotic injury, open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fracture with Syndesmotic screw fixation helped to achieve good union of fractures and pain free, stable ankle joint.