title: Mid-term results of ankle fractures with and without syndesmotic rupture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study investigated the effect of short term removal of syndesmotic screws on the ankle function after 6 years, as there still exists controversy on the duration of screw stabilization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with an ankle fracture who received surgery between 1998 and 2004 were reviewed. One group was composed of patients with an ankle fracture needing a syndesmotic repair with screws. The second was composed of operated patients that did not need syndesmotic repair. The primary scoring used was the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 59 patients were studied with comparable characteristics, with no significant difference on the OMAS after 6 years between the repair group (81.9) and the non-repair group (90.4). On additional clinical scoring groups remained the same. Joint degeneration was seen in both groups (86.7% vs. 55.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with ankle fractures using syndesmotic repair and screw removal after 8 weeks and operated patients without syndesmotic injury have comparable results after 6 years.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Isala Clinics, PO Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The Netherlands. Electronic address: ejdveen@gmail.com.
authors: Egbert J D
authors: EJ
authors: Veen
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Isala Clinics, PO Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, The Netherlands.
authors: Rutger G
authors: RG
authors: Zuurmond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064386:Ankle Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D001863:Bone Screws; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Ankle; Fibula; Fracture; Surgery; Syndesmosis