title: The value of arthroscopy in the treatment of complex ankle fractures - a protocol of a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: An anatomical reconstruction of the ankle congruity is the important prerequisite in the operative treatment of acute ankle fractures. Despite anatomic restoration patients regularly suffer from residual symptoms after these fractures. There is growing evidence, that a poor outcome is related to the concomitant traumatic intra-articular pathology. By supplementary ankle arthroscopy anatomic reduction can be confirmed and associated intra-articular injuries can be treated. Nevertheless, the vast majority of complex ankle fractures are managed by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) only. Up to now, the effectiveness of arthroscopically assisted fracture treatment (AORIF) has not been conclusively determined. Therefore, a prospective randomised study is needed to sufficiently evaluate the effect of AORIF compared to ORIF in complex ankle fractures.
  
  
  
  We perform a randomised controlled trial at Munich University Clinic enrolling patients (18-65 years) with an acute ankle fracture (AO 44 A2, A3, B2, B3, C1 - C3 according to AO classification system). Patients meeting the inclusion criteria are randomised to either intervention group (AORIF, n = 37) or comparison group (ORIF, n = 37). Exclusion criteria are fractures classified as AO type 44 A1 or B1, pilon or plafond-variant injury or open fractures. Primary outcome is the AOFAS Score (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society). Secondary outcome parameter are JSSF Score (Japanese Society of Surgery of the Foot), Olerud and Molander Score, Karlsson Score, Tegner Activity Scale, SF-12, radiographic analysis, arthroscopic findings of intra-articular lesions, functional assessments, time to return to work/sports and complications. This study protocol is accordant to the SPIRIT 2013 recommendation. Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS 22.0 (IBM).
  
  
  
  The subjective and functional outcome of complex ankle fractures is regularly unsatisfying. As these injuries are very common it is essential to improve the postoperative results. Potentially, arthroscopically assisted fracture treatment can significantly improve the outcome by addressing the intra-articular pathologies. Given the absolute lack of studies comparing AORIF to ORIF in complex ankle fractures, this randomised controlled trail is urgently needed to evaluate the effectiveness of additional arthroscopy.
  
  
  
  ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT02449096 (Trial registration date: April 7th, 2015).
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Munich University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Nußbaumstr 20, Munich, 80336, Germany. Mareen.Braunstein@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Mareen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braunstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Munich University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Nußbaumstr 20, Munich, 80336, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Baumbach
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Munich University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Nußbaumstr 20, Munich, 80336, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Regauer
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Munich University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Nußbaumstr 20, Munich, 80336, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Böcker
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Munich University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Nußbaumstr 20, Munich, 80336, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Polzer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D064386:Ankle Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001860:Bone Plates; D001863:Bone Screws; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D000070799:Open Fracture Reduction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ankle fracture; Arthroscopically assisted fracture treatment; Arthroscopy; Chondral lesion; Complex ankle fracture; Foot and ankle surgery; Randomised controlled trial