Patterns of Anterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament Avulsion Fracture Accompanied by Ankle Fracture.

The anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) avulsion fracture accompanying an ankle fracture can compromise ankle stability, necessitating accurate evaluation and a clear understanding of its pathophysiology.. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between AITFL avulsion fracture and Lauge-Hansen, Wagstaffe classification. A retro-prospective study was conducted at a university-affiliated tertiary care medical center. We selected 128 patients who underwent surgery at our institution between January 2013 and July 2017 and analyzed the association between AITFL avulsion fracture and the foot position. According to the modified Wagstaffe classification system, there were 39 cases of type II, followed by 9 cases of type III and 8 cases of type IV. Of the7 pronation-abduction fractures, 3 were AITFL avulsion fracture (43%), while of the 21 pronation-external rotation fractures, 9 were AITFL avulsion fracture (43%). Of the 95 supination-external rotation fractures, there were 56 cases (59%) of AITFL avulsion fractures. Of the pronation fractures, 0% were fibular avulsion fractures and 43% were tibial avulsion fractures. Of the supination fractures, 44% were fibular avulsion fractures and 16% were tibial avulsion fracture. The difference in the ratio of fibular to tibial avulsion fractures between pronation and supination fractures was significant (p < .001). These results suggest that tibial avulsion fractures of type IV in the modified Wagstaffe classification and pronation fractures occur due to collision with the anterolateral corners of the distal bone when the talus externally rotates. Moreover, in cases of pronation fractures, a new type of AITFL avulsion fracture has been observed.

A comparative study of the clinical efficacy of supination-adduction type II ankle fracture surgery based on the medial pilon fracture concept versus the ankle fracture concept.

BACKGROUND: A supination-adduction (SAD) ankle fracture is a special type of ankle fracture that results in collapse of the distal tibial articular surface; as such, orthopaedic surgeons require greater awareness of this type of fracture. The severity of this injury lies between that of an ordinary ankle fracture and a pilon fracture, and the treatment of such fractures based on the ankle fracture concept leads to extremely high rates of postoperative complications and a poor prognosis. In this retrospective study, we aimed to explore the treatment of SAD fractures based on the pilon fracture concept. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 67 patients with Lauge-Hansen supination-adduction type II (SAD-II) ankle fractures, most of whom had a 44-A AO classification. Patients underwent surgical treatment at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2009 to June 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical concept employed: 43 patients were included in the ankle fracture surgical concept group, and 24 patients were included in the medial pilon fracture surgical concept group. The therapeutic effect was evaluated based on the Burwell-Charnley radiological reduction standard, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score 1 year after surgery using regression with adjustment for confounding factors. RESULTS: All 67 patients were followed up. Twenty-four patients were treated according to the medial pilon fracture concept, and forty-three patients were treated according to the ankle fracture concept. The AOFAS score 1 year after surgery in the medial pilon group (89.83 ± 2.77) was higher than that in the ankle fracture group (83.63 ± 7.97) (p < 0.05). The VAS score 1 year after surgery in the medial pilon fracture group (1.17 ± 0.96) was significantly better than that in the ankle fracture group (2.28 ± 0.96) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with Lauge-Hansen SAD-II ankle fractures treated based on the medial pilon fracture surgical concept had better postoperative outcomes than those treated based on the ankle fracture surgical concept. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Ankle Fracture with a Complex Injury Mechanism and Misleading Hook Test Result: A Case Report.

Ankle fractures and their mechanisms of injury can be complex. We report a case of a patient with an uncertain mechanism of injury and an uncommon combination of lower extremity fractures, which fit the criteria for a Lauge-Hansen classification pronation-external-rotation fracture, Maisonneuve fracture, Wagstaffe fracture, and posterior pilon fracture. Plain radiographs and computed tomography scan revealed Chaput tubercle avulsion fractures, an anterior distal fibular fracture fragment, multiple lateral malleolar fractures, a posterior malleolar fracture fragment with proximal displacement, a die-punch fragment between the posterior malleolar fragment and the tibia, a proximal fibular fracture, and possible ankle syndesmotic diastasis. Intraoperative hook test was negative after fixation of the fractures, so syndesmotic fixation was not performed. At 3-month follow-up, plain radiographs showed obvious syndesmotic diastasis. At 1-year follow-up, symptoms persisted and syndesmotic fusion was recommended but declined by the patient. This case demonstrates that both ankle fractures and their mechanisms of injury can be remarkably complex and confusing, posterior pilon fractures can occur along with pronation-external-rotation ankle fractures, syndesmotic fixation should be considered for all patients with Maisonneuve fractures, reliance on the hook test for surgical management decisions may not always be reliable, and there exists a need for a more accurate and reliable intraoperative test to determine the presence of ankle syndesmotic injury.

Contemporary Strategies in Pilon Fixation.

The treatment of tibial pilon fractures has evolved substantially over the past decades due to ever-increasing high-energy injuries. Open reduction and internal fixation of these intra-articular fractures requires an appreciation for a number of basic principles: respect the soft tissues, understand the fracture pattern, use safe surgical approaches, and provide stability that allows for early motion of the ankle. Surgical strategy should be customized based on the fracture pattern, access needed for fracture visualization and reduction, and status of the soft tissues. Given the ability to obtain an accurate stable reduction, smaller implants are typically adequate using multiple small incisions. We view this surgical tactic as continuing the evolution of complex fracture treatment whose origins lie in the influences of pioneers such as Dr Sigvard T. Hansen Jr.

The risk of fracture to the tibia from a fragment simulating projectile.

Penetrating injuries due to fragments energised by an explosive event are life threatening and are associated with poor clinical and functional outcomes. The tibia is the long bone most affected in survivors of explosive events, yet the risk of penetrating injury to it has not been quantified. In this study, an injury-risk assessment of penetrating injury to the tibia was conducted using a gas-gun system with a 0.78-g cylindrical fragment simulating projectile. An ovine tibia model was used to generate the injury-risk curves and human cadaveric tests were conducted to validate and scale the results of the ovine model. The impact velocity at 50% risk (±95% confidence intervals) for EF1+, EF2+, EF3+, and EF4+ fractures to the human tibia - using the modified Winquist-Hansen classification - was 271 ± 30, 363 ± 46, 459 ± 102, and 936 ± 182 m/s, respectively. The scaling factor for the impact velocity from cadaveric ovine to human was 2.5. These findings define the protection thresholds to improve the injury outcomes for fragment penetrating injury to the tibia.

Core curriculum illustration: supination-external rotation trimalleolar fracture.

This is the 37th installment of a series that will highlight one case per publication issue from the bank of cases available online as part of the American Society of Emergency Radiology (ASER) educational resources. Our goal is to generate more interest in and on the use of our online materials. To view more cases online, please visit the ASER Core Curriculum and Recommendations for Study online at http://www.erad.org/page/CCIP_TOC .

Comminuted long bone fractures in children. Could combined fixation improve the results?

Comminuted diaphyseal fractures in the pediatric age group represent a major orthopedic problem. It is associated with a high incidence of complications and poor outcomes because of the instability and difficulty in treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined external skeletal fixation and flexible intramedullary nails in reconstruction of comminuted diaphyseal fracture in skeletally immature patients. Combined external fixator and elastic stable intramedullary nails were used in the management of 27 pediatric patients (15 males and 12 females) with unstable comminuted diaphyseal fractures of the tibia and femur. There were 19 fractures of the femur and eight fractures of the tibia. The average age of the patients was 8.7 years (range 7-14 years) for the femur and 10.8 years (range 6-15 years) for the tibia. Fractures were classified according to the system of Winquist and Hansen as grade II (five cases), grade III (nine cases), and grade IV (13 cases). All cases were operated within 6 days (range 0-6 days) after injury. The mean follow-up period was 2.8 years (range 2-3.5 years). The average duration of the external fixation was 1.6 months for fractures of the tibia, whereas it was 1.4 months for fractures of the femur. The average time for tibia fracture union was 2.8 months for fractures of the tibia, whereas it was 1.9 months for fractures of the femur. Malalignment in varus less than 5° was noted in one patient. One patient had a limb-length discrepancy of 1.5 cms. There were five cases (18.5%) with pin-tract infection. According to the Association for the Study and Application of the Methods of Ilizarov evaluation system, bone results were excellent in 23 cases (85.2%), good in three cases (11.1%), and poor in one case (3.7%). Functional results were excellent in 22 (81.5%) cases and good in five (18.5%) cases. Combined use of external fixators and elastic intramedullary nails is a good method for the treatment of comminuted long bone fractures in children.

Fracturas segmentarias de tibia / Segmental tibial fractures

Fundamento: las fracturas segmentarias de la diáfisis tibial (FSDT) son afecciones causadas por trauma de alta energía y están por lo general, asociadas a otras lesiones de partes blandas y óseas, que empeoran su pronóstico y hacen más difícil el tratamiento.Objetivo: profundizar en los elementos esenciales y características de pacientes que sufren de fracturas segmentarias de la diáfisis tibial.Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de un total de 400 artículos publicados en Pubmed, Hinari y Medline, mediante el localizador de información Endnote, de ellos se utilizaron 51 citas seleccionadas para realizar la revisión, 47 de ellas de los últimos cinco años, además se incluyeron cuatro libros.Desarrollo: se describen los mecanismos de producción más frecuentes, así como las principales diferencias entre las fracturas segmentarias y no segmentarias. En relación a la clasificación, se describió la propuesta por el grupo de Asociación para la Osteosíntesis (AO) en especial la del tipo C y la aplicación de la clasificación de Winquist R y Hansen S. Se hace referencia a los traumas asociados y las complicaciones reportadas en la literatura. Los tipos de tratamientos son por lo general quirúrgicos y pueden ser mediante enclavijado intramedular, uso de fijadores externos y placas subcutáneas. Conclusiones: las fracturas segmentarias de la diáfisis tibial son lesiones graves, que necesitan de acciones inmediatas, para prevenir o aminorar las complicaciones inmediatas y tardías características de esta lesión(AU)

Background: segmental tibial shaft fractures are affections caused by high energy traumatisms and are generally associated to other lesions of soft and osseous parts that make worse the prognosis and more difficult the treatment.Objective: to deepen in the essential elements and characteristics of patients who suffer from segmental tibial shaft fractures.Methods: a bibliographic review of 400 articles published in Pubmed, Hinari and Medline was made by means of the reference management software Endnote. Fifty-one references were selected for making the review, 47 of them were from the last five years and four books were included.Development: the most frequent mechanisms of production are described, as well as the main differences between segmental and non-segmental fractures. Regarding the classification, the proposal described by the Osteosynthesis Association, especially type C was described, as well as the application of the classification by Winquist R and Hansen S. The traumas associated and the complications reported in the literature are mentioned. The types of treatment are generally surgical and can be conducted by means of intramedullar nailing, external fixators and subcutaneous plates.Conclusions: segmental tibial shaft fractures are serious lesions that need to be treated immediately to prevent or reduce the instant complications and the belated characteristics of this lesion(AU)

The association between medial malleolar fracture geometry, injury mechanism, and syndesmotic disruption.

BACKGROUND: Precise correlations between medial malleolar fracture geometry and fracture mechanism have not been thoroughly described. This study sought to determine the prevalence of different medial malleolar fracture types and to elucidate the association between fracture geometry and fracture mechanism. METHODS: The records of 112 medial malleolar ankle fractures were reviewed. For each fracture, the direction of the fracture line in the medial malleolus (transverse, oblique, vertical, or comminuted), the Lauge-Hansen classification, and the presence or absence of syndesmotic injury was recorded. Bivariate correlation analysis was performed to determine if correlations existed. RESULTS: Transverse fractures were the most prevalent type of medial malleolar fracture [n=64 (57%)], and they correlated with supination-external rotation injuries. These were followed by oblique fractures [29 (26)], which correlated with pronation-external rotation injuries [29 (26)], and vertical fractures [7 (6)], which correlated with supination-adduction injuries [9 (8)]. Comminuted fractures [12 (11)] and pronation-abduction injuries [22 (20)] did not correlate with any other categories. Syndesmotic injuries were correlated with transverse fractures, bimalleolar fractures, and pronation-external rotation injuries. CONCLUSION: Medial malleolar fractures can be divided into four fracture types: transverse fractures, which correlated with supination-external rotation injuries; oblique fractures, which correlated with pronation-external rotation injuries; vertical fractures, which correlated with supination-adduction injuries; and comminuted fractures, which did not correlate with a particular type of injury. Syndesmotic injury was positively correlated with transverse fractures of the medial malleolus, bimalleolar fractures, and pronation-external rotation injuries. These findings suggest that medial malleolar fracture geometry can provide valuable information for the clinician when classifying and managing ankle fractures.

[Tillaux fracture and fracture of the lateral malleolus with no medial soreness]. / Tillauxfraktur og lateral malleolfraktur uden medial ømhed.

Tillaux fracture is a fracture of the anterolateral tibial epiphysis most often seen in children between 11 and 16 years of age. The fracture occurs when the medial and central part of the distal tibial epiphysis is closed and the lateral part remains open. We present a case with a combination of a Tillaux fracture and an ipsilateral fracture of the lateral malleolus in a 16 year-old boy and discuss the fracture mechanism using the Lauge-Hansen ankle fracture classification system.

The role of dynamisation vis-à-vis non-dynamisation after closed interlocking nailing in cases of closed tibial shaft fractures in adults.

The importance of dynamisation after static locked nailing in comminuted closed tibial fractures is a matter of contention. A prospective study was undertaken among 178 patients in the department of orthopaedics at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata from January 2002 to December 2006, to analyse the usefulness of this procedure with respect to the degree of comminution. In this study it was seen that dynamisation was found to be of statistical significance in relatively less comminuted fractures as per Winquist-Hansen's classification.

A rational approach to ankle fractures.

Ankle fractures involve a spectrum of injury patterns from simple to complex, such that these injuries are not always "just an ankle fracture." By combining the injury mechanism and the radiographic findings, the surgeon can apply the Lauge-Hansen classification in taking a rational approach to the management of these fractures. Syndesmotic instability and atypical patterns are becoming increasingly recognized, in part through the judicious use of CT scans. The goal of surgical stabilization includes atraumatic soft tissue management, rigid internal fixation, and early range of motion exercises in maximizing return of function.

[Prognostic value of Lauge-Hansen and Danis-Weber classification in nonoperative and operative tibia ankle fracture treatment]. / Wartosc prognostyczna klasyfikacji Laugego-Hansena i Danisa-Webera w leczeniu nieoperacyjnym i operacyjnym zlaman kostek goleni.

Tibia ankle fractures and traumatic injuries of the ankle-tibia joint area are one of the most intractable problems in orthopedic and traumatic surgery. Because of the displacement of these fractures they require precise opening of the joint surface area to undertake the early repositioning in order to gain eficient walk. The objective of this paper was to evaluate and compare the final results of nonoperative and operative treament methods, specificlly the two most common prognosis values of tibia ankle fracture clasifications by Danis-Weber and Lauge-Hansen. This is the prognositic marking in the range of functional and radiological results dependant upon the method beeing applied. The repetetiveness and accordance of these two classifications has been evaluated as well. This research was conducted on the retrospective evalutaion based on the X-rays of 61 patients (28 women and 33 men) between the ages of 20-76 making the average age 49.5. The definition of accordance and repetitivenes was conducted by three doctors, who evaluated the x-rays from the standard fornt, back, and side projection of relaxed joint ankle.

Tibiotarsal fracture repair in a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) using an interlocking nail.

A 14-yr-old, 5.13-kg bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was hit by a car and presented to the Michigan State University Small Animal Clinic with an open, grade II, transverse, midshaft, Winquist-Hansen type-II-comminuted left tibiotarsal fracture. The fracture was reduced and fixation established with a 4.7-mm-diameter, 112-mm-long, four-hole veterinary intramedullary interlocking nail maintained in position by single 2-mm transcortical screws placed in the main proximal and distal fragments. The bird was weight bearing on the bandaged limb 48 hr postoperatively. Radiographs obtained 4 wk postoperatively revealed bridging callus over three of four cortices. The bird was released after 5 mo of rehabilitation.

Clinical experience with reamed locked nails for close and open comminuted tibial diaphyseal fractures: a review of 50 consecutive cases.

We present the results of our experience in treating comminuted tibial shaft fractures with reamed interlocking intramedullary nail from September 1993 to December 1995. In this retrospective study, there were fifty patients with an average follow-up of 14.3 months (range six to twenty-eight months). Ninety-eight percent of the fractures were due to motor-vehicle accident with majority of the patients being motorcyclist (96%). Thirty-eight fractures were closed and twelve were open (Gustilo grade I--8; grade II--4); 44% of them had additional fractures or other injuries. According to Winquist-Hansen classification of diaphyseal fracture comminution, there were 24% type I; 18% type II; 26% type III and 32% type IV. The union rate was 98%. There were 6 infections, 2 superficial and 4 deep. All these infections arose from closed fractures, which was possibly due to the long operative time. No patients with open fractures, which underwent delayed nailing, had infection. One of the patient had severe deep infection which required early nail removal before union. Anterior knee pain following nailing occurred in 6% of the patients. The average hospital stay after operation was 3.4 days. Ninety-four percent of the patients had excellent to good functional outcome after nailing. The mean time to regain full range of movement of knee and ankle was 8.4 weeks. Patients were allowed full weight bearing in the average time of 10.7 weeks and the mean time to return to work was 24.7 weeks.

Varus and internal rotational deformity of the ankle secondary to distal tibial physeal injury.

Nine children who sustained Lauge-Hansen's supination-inversion injury of distal tibial physeal injury with intact distal fibular physis, were followed until their maturity. The average varus deformity was 39 degrees (maximum, 80 degrees) with 23 degrees of internal rotational deformity. The longitudinal growth of the fibula was retarded compared with opposite normal leg. There was early closure of the medial distal tibial physis, gradual upward migration of medial malleolus, and eventually medial subluxation of the ankle; these resulted in gradual varus and internal rotational deformities of the injured ankle. It is thought that the resultant disabling deformity of ankle should be prevented by any means, though presently there are no available effective methods of treatment. It is suggested that the repeated corrective osteotomy should be carried out before epiphyseal deformity of the distal tibia and subluxation of the ankle joint develop.

Ender nail in unstable closed tibial fractures.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the effect of Ender nail in management of unstable closed tibial fractures. METHODS: From January 1985 to May 1992, 99 cases of unstable closed tibial shaft fractures (with fibular fractures) were collected for retrospective study. All the 99 tibiae were fixed with Ender nails. The mean follow up period was 80 (26-115 months). RESULTS: The clinical results were evaluated with special charts. The average blood loss was 126 ml. Operation time was 45 minutes. Hospital day was 10.2 days. Union time was 16.8 weeks for Winquist-Hansen (WH) type I-II fractures and 20.5 weeks for VVH type III-V fractures. Student t test revealed statistically significant differences between the clinical results of WH type I-II cases and those of WH type III-V cases. The postoperative complications included superficial infection in 1 case (1%), nail protrusion in 13 (13%), malunion in 10 (10%), aseptic nonunion in 2 (2%) and infected nonunion in 1 (1%) (overall 18% in the 99 cases). CONCLUSIONS: Ender nail is no doubt effective in treatment of less comminuted unstable tibial shaft fractures, but should be used carefully for more comminuted unstable tibial shaft fractures.

Treatment of unstable tibial fractures with interlocking nail versus Ender nail: a prospective evaluation.

BACKGROUND: For unstable tibial fractures, there are many methods of surgical treatment. The efficacy of the Ender nail and the interlocking nail in the treatment of such fractures is examined. METHODS: One hundred and seven cases of unstable tibial shaft fractures were collected for the prospective study. Randomly, 61 tibia were fixed with interlocking nails and 46, with Ender nails. The mean follow-up period was 30.5 (23 to 40) months. The results of the different treatments were compared. RESULTS: In the group with interlocking nails, the average blood loss was 265 cc; operation time was 61 minutes; hospital days were 10.4; and union time was 15.1 weeks for closed fractures and 17 weeks for Winquist-Hansen type III and IV fractures. In the group with Ender nails, the average blood loss was 135 cc, operation time was 32 minutes, hospital days were 8.3 days, and union time was 17.6 weeks for closed fractures and 22.5 weeks for Winquist-Hansen type III and IV fractures. Student t-test revealed statistically significant difference between the groups in all of the data described above. However, treatment with the different nails showed no significant difference in results for open type I and II fractures. CONCLUSIONS: Ender nail still has its superior usefulness in some aspects of treatment of less comminuted unstable tibial shaft fractures, but for the more comminuted unstable tibial shaft fractures, the interlocking nail is undoubtedly better used.

[Dislocation fractures of the upper ankle joint. Classification--treatment--results]. / Verrenkungsbrüche des oberen Sprunggelenkes. Klassifizierung--Behandlung--Ergebnisse.

Between 1959 and 1989 a total of 1,387 ankle fractures were analysed under different aspects. For several reasons the authors prefer the classification by Lauge-Hansen schematized by Maatz. After the period of change from conservative to surgical treatment the actual state of operative approach is described. Early complications and late results are presented via smaller groups of patients. Evidently SE fractures have the worst prognosis independent of the success of the operation.

[The incidence, therapy and results of combined ankle joint and tibial shaft fractures]. / Inzidenz, Therapie und Ergebnisse von kombinierten Sprunggelenks- und Schienbeinschaftbrüchen.

Forty combined tibial shaft and ankle fractures were admitted to our Trauma Department between 1980 and 1985; these cases were followed up, and the results are presented. Using the classification scheme of Johner/Wruhs for lower-leg fractures and that of Lauge-Hansen for ankle fractures, we found 25 pronation-eversion and 14 supination-eversion lesions combined with pure spiral fractures (A1, 9 cases), spiral bending-type fractures (B1, 25 cases), comminuted spiral lesions (C1, 5 cases), and 1 crush fracture (C3). Although no fibular or ligamentous reconstruction had been done and various methods had been used, overall, the late results were good. In contrast to previous reports about this rare condition, no incongruencies at the ankle joint were found. Only 2 cases of late arthritis due to infection and/or improper reduction were seen. Nevertheless, the importance of thorough analysis of the fracture pathomechanics before treatment cannot be overemphasized. If anatomical reduction of the tibial shaft fracture does not imply congruency at the joint line, reconstruction of the fibular or ligamentous lesion should be undertaken.