title: Lateral fixation of AO type-B2 ankle fractures in the elderly: the Knowles pin versus the plate.
abstract: The study was a retrospective evaluation and comparison. Seventy-five elderly patients (>50 years) with AO type-B2 ankle fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. All patients were followed up retrospectively for at least 12 months. The 75 patients were divided into two groups, based on the method of treatment. The Knowles pin (KP) group included 45 patients with an average age of 62.7 years. The tubular plate (TP) group included 30 patients with an average age of 60.0 years. The clinical results were compared between the two groups. Both of the groups were similar in respect to the injury mechanisms, fracture pattern, open fracture grade, compounding medical conditions, and ankle score (all P values <0.28). However, the KP group had significantly smaller wound incisions, shorter surgery time, shorter hospital stay, less meperidine use, less symptomatic hardware, and lower complication rates than the TP group (all P values <0.03). In conclusion, lateral fixation of AO type-B2 ankle fractures in the elderly by the Knowles pin is recommended due to its simplicity, efficacy and low complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Taipei City Hospital, Heping Branch, No. 33, Section 2, Chung-Hwa Rd, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China, dae10@tpech.gov.tw
authors.forename: Yih-Shiunn
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hui-Ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ting-Ying
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Chien-Rae
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D001858:Bone Nails; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology