title: Radiographic Evaluation of Ankle Joint Stability After Calcaneofibular Ligament Elevation During Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Calcaneus Fracture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the influence of sectioning the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) during an extensile lateral approach during open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of calcaneal fractures on ankle joint stability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two patients with calcaneal fractures that received ORIF were included. Talar tilt stress and anterior drawer radiographs were performed on the operative and contralateral ankles 6 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average degree of talar tilt on stress radiographs was 3.4 degrees (range, 0-12 degrees) on the operative side and 3.2 degrees (range, 0-14 degrees) on the contralateral side. The mean anterior drawer on stress radiographs of the CFL incised ankle was 6.1 mm (range, 2.4-11.8 mm) and on the contralateral ankle was 5.7 mm (range, 2.6-8.6 mm). There was no statistically significant difference of talar tilt and anterior drawer between the CFL incised side and the contralateral side (P = .658 and .302, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that sectioning of the CFL without any repair during ORIF of a calcaneal fracture does not have a negative effect on stability of the ankle. Repair of the CFL is, thus, probably not necessary following extended lateral approach for ORIF of calcaneal fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level II, comparative study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Shun
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Imaging for Health Management, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yun-Hsuan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Kuei
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Chau
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan chiagcc@vghtpe.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Chao-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chiang
mesh_terms: D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D017844:Lateral Ligament, Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070799:Open Fracture Reduction / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography
keywords: calcaneal fracture; calcaneofibular ligament; extensile lateral approach; lateral ankle instability