title: Functional outcome of ankle fracture patients treated with biodegradable implants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Biodegradable devices have been developed to overcome the disadvantages of metallic implants especially the need for their subsequent removal, though they have their own drawbacks like poor mechanical properties and tissue reactions. Aim of this prospective study was to access the outcome of bimalleolar fractures fixed with biodegradable plates and screws.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was conducted between July 2006 and November 2008 comprising of sixteen patients with unilateral bimalleolar fractures. Fibula fractures were fixed with biodegradable plates and medial malleoli with screws. Patients were followed at two weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, twelve months and eighteen months. Final evaluation was done using Olerud Molander ankle score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six patients had excellent results; four patients had good results and six patients had fair performance. No patient in this series had a poor outcome. One patient had both pain and swelling at 14 weeks postoperatively which settled down with debridement and antibiotics. None of the patients needed implant removal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biodegradable plates and screws when used to fix bimalleolar fracture along with restricted weight bearing, provide satisfactory fracture healing, good functional results and reduce the need of implant removal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Sector-12, Chandigarh, Punjab 160012, India.
authors.forename: Sushil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rangdal
authors.forename: Daljit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Narendra
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: Ashwani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soni
authors.forename: Radheshyam
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sament
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult