title: Fixation orientation in ankle fractures with syndesmosis injury.
abstract: Accurate reduction of the syndesmosis has been shown to be an important prognostic factor for functional outcome in ankle injuries that disrupt the syndesmosis. The purpose of the present case series was to assess the fixation orientation and the position of the fibula within the tibial incisura after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures with syndesmosis injury. Computed tomography was used to assess the accuracy of the reduction. Twelve patients were included in the present case series. A ratio representing the relationship between the tibia and fibula and the orientation of the syndesmotic fixation was measured preoperatively and postoperatively and compared with the uninjured contralateral ankle, representing the patient's normal anatomy. The measurements were accomplished electronically to one tenth of 1 mm using Stentor Intelligent Informatics, I-site, version 3.3.1 (Phillips Electronics; Andover, MA). Posteriorly oriented syndesmotic fixation caused posterior translation of the fibula with respect to the tibia and anteriorly oriented syndesmotic fixation caused anterior translation.
authors.affiliation: Kaiser San Francisco Bay Area Foot and Ankle Residency Program, Oakland, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Craig J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Nimick
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Collman
authors.forename: Pieter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lagaay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult