title: Self-reinforced absorbable screws in the fixation of displaced ankle fractures: a prospective clinical study of 152 patients.
abstract: The series consisted of 152 patients with ankle fractures treated between May 1987 and August 1989 using absorbable screws of self-reinforced polyglycolide 3.4 mm in inner diameter and 25-70 mm in length. The mean follow-up time was 2 years, 5 months (range, 1 year, 7 months-3 years, 10 months). After open reduction, a channel was drilled through the fracture surfaces and the fragments were fixed with one absorbable screw or screws. A plaster cast was used postoperatively. At 1-year follow-up observation, the radiographical result was anatomical in 93.3% of 104 patients with unimalleolar and bimalleolar ankle fractures (Weber A or B) and in 80.5% of 41 severe ankle fractures. Seven patients were unavailable for follow-up observation. Two reoperations were performed because of primary or secondary failure of fixation. In all unimalleolar and bimalleolar fractures and in 95.1% of severe ankle fractures the functional recovery score was at least satisfactory. Sinus formation as a sign of tissue reaction was observed in 10 patients 2-6 months postoperatively, but this did not influence the healing of the fracture or the functional recovery. This report is the first extensive publication on the clinical use of absorbable screws.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Partio
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Böstman
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hirvensalo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vainionpää
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vihtonen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pätiälä
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Törmälä
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rokkanen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011100:Polyglycolic Acid