title: COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN OSTEOSYNTHESIS IN CONVENTIONAL AND BIOABSORBABLE IMPLANTS IN ANKLE FRACTURES.
abstract: To compare the functional results of ankle fractures treated with metallic and absorbable plates. Twenty patients were randomized into two groups (metallic and absorbable implant groups) and followed prospectively. In the immediate postoperative period, patients were immobilized with plaster casts for one week, which was replaced by a removable cast for another four weeks. Partial weight-bearing was allowed after three weeks, and full weight-bearing after six weeks. Functional recovery was similar in both groups. At six months, three patients in the metallic group complained of local pain, and had their implants removed. One patient in the absorbable group exhibited early dehiscence of the suture and underwent debridement and suturing with good evolution. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was similar between the two groups after six and nine months of follow-up. The absorbable implants showed clinical and functional results that were similar to those of metallic implants. Level of Evidence II, Prospective Comparative Study.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme Pelosini
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Gaiarsa
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Dos Reis
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rames
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mattar
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jorge Dos Santos
authors.initials: Jdos S
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Túlio Diniz
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Fernandez
keywords: Absorbable implants. Ankle injuries. Bone screws. Fractures; bone. Fracture fixation; internal.