Double Plating of Distal Fibula Fractures.
BACKGROUND
Distal fibula fractures are common orthopaedic injuries that often require open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) to anatomically reduce the fracture and minimize the risk of posttraumatic arthritis. In certain clinical situations, stouter fixation may be advantageous to decrease the risk of fixation failure. In this study, the authors report on 12 patients who underwent distal fibula ORIF with 2 one-third tubular plates.


METHODS
Twelve consecutive patients who underwent distal fibula ORIF with 2 one-third tubular plates were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were reviewed, and functional outcomes were obtained using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). Institutional review board approval was obtained.


RESULTS
All 12 fractures healed clinically and radiographically. One patient was lost to follow-up after healing of the fracture. One patient had removal of fibular hardware at 15 months after surgery. Ten patients had no hardware related pain and good ankle function. FAOS scores were obtained at a mean of 25.6 months after surgery and were as follows: pain (87.6, SD = 9.5), activities of daily living (90.4, SD = 14.5), symptoms (93.3, SD = 9.5), sports (89.5, SD = 18.1), and quality of life (57.4, SD = 21.3).


CONCLUSIONS
Double plating of distal fibula fractures is a viable technique for problem fractures that potentially provides a readily accessible, low-cost alternative to other means of enhancing fixation.


METHODS
Level IV.
Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
Danica D
DD
Vance
Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York.
J Turner
JT
Vosseller
D000328:Adult; D064386:Ankle Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001860:Bone Plates; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
ankle injuries; comorbid conditions; diabetes; diagnostic and therapeutic techniques; external and internal fixation; fractures; heel; rearfoot; sports podiatry; sprains and strains