A Clinical Study of Ankle Fracture

Kim, Poong Taek; Park, Byung Chul; Kim, Ik Dong; Lee, Soo Young; Choi, Young Duck

Abstract

The subject of ankle injuries has for a long time been embedded in controversy. The injuries to the ankle joint complex include not only injuries that cause disruption of the bone architecture of the ankle joint but often significant ligamentous and soft tissue components. Strong differences of opinion exist regarding the preferred method of treatment, the length of time immobilization is necessary, the postreduction management and the criteria of what constitutes an acceptable reduction. Follow up of 52 cases was possible which were admitted to the department of orthopedics, Kyung- pook University Hospital during the period of January, 1974 to december 1983. The results obtained from this study were as follows; 1. Among the 51 patient, male was 45 (88.2%) patients and female 6 (11.8%) patients. Most of the patient were in the ages between 20 and 30. 2. Of the 52 cases, the main cause of fractures were traffic accident 33 (63.5%) cases and the other causes were falling from a height 9 (17.5%), slipping down 3 (5.7%) and sport injury 1 (1.9%) in order. 3. Open fracture was 16 (31%) and closed fracture was 36 (69%). 4. According to the classification of Lauge-Hansen, the supination-external rotation type 18 (34.6%) was the commonest type. 5. Among the 52 cases, 32 cases were treated by open reduction and 20 cases by closed reduction. 6. The average peried of the cast immobilization after the open reduction was 6Wks. but the closed reduction was 8Wks. 7. According to clinical and radiological accessment of the result of treatment for bimalleolar Fx, internal fixation of both medial & lateral malleolus was better than medial malleolus only. 8. The fibular fracture involving lateral malleolus and the diastasis of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis were very important in ankle stability and were treated by internal fixation for accurate anatomical reduction.