Outcomes of Lateral Malleolar Saving versus Sacrificing Procedure in Transfibular Ankle Arthrodesis

Chung, Hyung Jin; Bae, Su Young; Shin, Yong Woon; Lim, Dong Ju; Cho, Sung Il

Abstract

PURPOSE
We analyse and report the result of transfibular ankle arthrodesis using lateral malleolar saving procedureversus lateral malleolar sacrificing procedure.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighteen cases of transfibular ankle arthrodesis which were performed since 2001 were included. We devided them into lateral malleolar saving and lateral malleolar sacrificing groups. We reattached and fixed lateral malleolus in 10 cases and sacrificed malleolus for morcelized bone graft in 8 cases. We evaluated clinical results by AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and radiological results by union time. Complications and subjective satisfaction degrees were also recorded and compared between two groups.
RESULTS
Preoperative mean AOFAS score was 32 points (16~41) and VAS was 7.5 points (7~8) and they were changed into 68.6 points (61~77) and 2.8 points (2~4) postoperatively. There was no significant difference in clinical results between the two groups even though lateral malleolar saving group showed higher AOFAS score (69.4) than lateral malleolar sacrificing group (67.7). Duration of getting union was 11.3 weeks in lateral malleolar saving group and 10.6 weeks in lateral malleolar sacrificing group. There was no difference in subjective satisfaction level. There were one delayed union and one nonunion in lateral malleolar sacrificing group and one nonunion in lateral malleolar saving group.
CONCLUSION
There was no difference in clinical and radiological results between lateral malleolar saving group and lateral malleolar sacrificing group of transfibular ankle arthrodesis. Therefore it may not necessary to sacrifice lateral malleolus for bone graft except very selective case for which heavy graft is needed.