A retrospective study of deltoid ligament repair versus syndesmotic fixation in lateral malleolus fracture combined with both deltoid ligament injury and inferior tibiofibular syndesmotic disruption

BackgroundTo compare clinical outcomes of deltoid ligament repair versus syndesmotic fixation in lateral malleolus fracture combined with both deltoid ligament injury and inferior tibiofibular syndesmotic disruption. MethodsPatients diagnosed with lateral malleolus fracture combined with both deltoid ligament injury and inferior tibiofibular syndesmotic disruption who received open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) were retrospectively reviewed. Seventy-eight patients were enrolled into the study, including 40 patients treated with lateral malleolus fracture ORIF and trans-syndesmotic fixation, and 38 patients treated with lateral malleolus fracture ORIF and deltoid ligament repair. Basic information and pre- and postoperative radiological materials were reviewed. Visual analog pain scale (VAS) score, Olerud-Molander score, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale were used for evaluating pain control and functional recovery postoperatively at different time points. ResultsNo complication was reported in both groups. In the trans-syndesmotic fixation group, all patients received syndesmotic screw removal 6-8 weeks postoperatively. The Olerud-Molander score and AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale in the deltoid ligament repair group were higher than the trans-syndesmotic fixation group 3 months after operation. No statistical difference was found between the two groups in VAS score from 1 to 12 months postoperatively. ConclusionsLateral malleolus fracture ORIF and deltoid ligament repair is an effective method for lateral malleolus fracture combined with both deltoid ligament injury and inferior tibiofibular syndesmotic disruption. Compared with trans-syndesmotic fixation, deltoid ligament repair holds the advantage of not needing surgical removal of inferior tibiofibular screws postoperatively.