Comparison of the Direct and Indirect Reduction Techniques During the Surgical Management of Posterior Malleolar Fractures

Overview

Journal BMC Musculoskelet Disord

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties Orthopedics
Physiology

Date 2017 Mar 16

PMID 28292290

Citations 18

Authors

Hong-Fei Shi

Jin Xiong

Yi-Xin Chen

Jun-Fei Wang

Xu-Sheng Qiu

Jie Huang

Xue-Yang Gui

Si-Yuan Wen

Yin-He Wang

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: The optimal method for the reduction and fixation of posterior malleolar fracture (PMF) remains inconclusive. Currently, both of the indirect and direct reduction techniques are widely used. We aimed to compare the reduction quality and clinical outcome of posterior malleolar fracture managed with the direct reduction technique through posterolateral approach or the indirect reduction technique using ligamentotaxis.

Methods: Patients with a PMF involving over 25% of the articular surface were recruited and assigned to the direct reduction (DR) group or the indirect reduction (IR) group. Following reduction and fixation of the fracture, the quality of fracture reduction was evaluated in post-operative CT images. Clinical and radiological follow-ups were performed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and then at 6 month-intervals postoperatively. Functional outcome (AOFAS score), ankle range of motion, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were evaluated at the last follow-up. Statistical differences were compared between the DR and IR groups considering the patient demographics, quality of fracture reduction, AOFAS score, and VAS.

Results: Totally 116 patients were included, wherein 64 cases were assigned to the DR group and 52 cases were assigned to the IR group. The quality of fracture reduction was significant higher in the DR group (P = 0.038). In the patients who completed a minimum of 12 months' follow-up, a median AOFAS score of 87 was recorded in the DR group, which was significantly higher than that recorded in the IR group (a median score of 80). The ankle range of motion was slightly better in the DR group, with the mean dorsiflexion restriction recorded to be 5.2° and 6.1° in the DR and IR group respectively (P = 0.331). Similar VAS score was observed in the two groups (P = 0.419).

Conclusions: The direct reduction technique through a posterolateral approach provide better quality of fracture reduction and functional outcome in the management of PMF over 25% of articular surface, as compared with the indirect reduction technique using ligamentotaxis.

Trial Registration: NCT02801474 (retrospectively registered, June 2016, ClinicalTrails.gov).

Citing Articles

Treatment Strategy for Posterior Malleolar Fractures: Different Operative Strategies Are Needed for Each Morphological Type.

Cho B, Subramanian S, Hwang J, Lee C, Yune Y, Kim S J Clin Med. 2025; 14(4).

PMID: 40004747 PMC: 11856766. DOI: 10.3390/jcm14041216.

A Comprehensive Review of Recent Trends in Posterior Malleolus Fracture Management.

Datta S, Bandyopadhyay B, Tahir M, Bose G, Khadilkar S Cureus. 2024; 16(10):e72081.

PMID: 39575057 PMC: 11580813. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72081.

Percutaneous Fixation of Posterior Malleolar Fractures: A Contemporary Review.

Massri-Pugin J, Morales S, Serrano J, Mery P, Filippi J, Villa A Foot Ankle Orthop. 2024; 9(2):24730114241256371.

PMID: 38840784 PMC: 11151760. DOI: 10.1177/24730114241256371.

[Comparison of posterolateral approach and combined approach in treatment of Mason type 2B posterior malleolar fracture].

Lu X, Ji R, Zhao W, Zhang L Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2023; 37(11):1353-1360.

PMID: 37987044 PMC: 10662410. DOI: 10.7507/1002-1892.202307049.

Treatment strategies for complex ankle fractures-current developments summarized in a narrative review.

Mair O, Pfluger P, Hanschen M, Biberthaler P, Cronlein M Ann Transl Med. 2023; 11(11):387.

PMID: 37970612 PMC: 10632576. DOI: 10.21037/atm-23-1173.

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