title: A Specialized Fibular Locking Plate for Lateral Malleolar Fractures.
abstract: We evaluated the outcomes and complications of a specialized fibular locking plate in the treatment of lateral malleolar fractures. The study included 27 patients (13 males and 14 females; mean age 46, range 16 to 73 years) with a minimum 1-year follow-up period. The study included 9 (33%) isolated lateral malleolar, 6 (23%) bimalleolar, 10 (37%) trimalleolar fractures, and 2 (7%) pilon fractures, all of which were treated using a specialized fibular locking plate for internal fixation. Bony union was monitored, and the patients' objective satisfaction was evaluated using the EQ-5D questionnaire (EuroQol Group). The patients were followed up after 1 year, and bony union was confirmed using a simple radiograph. The EQ-5D median ± standard deviation was 70 ± 15 (range 40 to 90) points at discharge, 80 ± 13 (range 40 to 90) at 6 weeks, 85 ± 11 (range 50 to 90) at 3 months, 90 ± 8 (range 60 to 90) at 6 months, and 90 ± 9 (range 70 to 95) at 1 year. Therefore, the EQ-5D score increased with time. No significant difference was found when stratified by sex or age (Mann-Whitney U test, p < .05). Eight complications (29%) developed: 1 superficial infection at the operative site, 1 case (3%) of osteomyelitis, 2 cases (7%) of an osteochondral lesion of the talus, and 5 cases (19%) of metallosis. A specialized fibular locking plate has the advantages of being an easy procedure, providing good patient satisfaction, and achieving complete bony union in all patients. However, additional complications developed compared with other well-known methods for fibular fracture treatment.
authors.affiliation: Medical Doctor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Eui Dong
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.affiliation: Professor, Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hak Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Medical Doctor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, South Korea.
authors.forename: Woo In
authors.initials: WI
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, South Korea. Electronic address: brain0808@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: Young Koo
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D064386:Ankle Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery; D001860:Bone Plates; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EuroQol; ankle; complication; fibular fracture; metallosis