The Clinical Study of Ankle Fracture and Dislocation

Kim, Ji Hoon; Song, Jae Gwang; Suh, Jin Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE
We evaluate clinical manifestations and radiologic features of ankle fracture & dislocation, as well as the usefulness of computed tomography on posterior ankle fracture & dislocation to study factors contributing to ankle fracture & dislocation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ankle dislocation was defined as the center of talar body being translated over the cortex of tibia on AP or lateral view on simple X-ray. Surgical treatments of 30 patients from January 2007 to March 2012 were categorized according to the injury mechanism, the direction of dislocation and fracture site. Joint involvement of posterior malleoalr fracture was evaluated through simple x-ray and computed tomography. We treated surgically if posterior malleolus fracture involves more than 25% of dital tibial articular surface. Thereafter, clinical outcomes were identified through radiographs and by using the AOFAS score.
RESULTS
The mean age was 42(13-78) years old, and slip down was the most common injury mechanism (13 cases). Car accident (6 cases) and fall accident (4 cases) were the next frequently found injury mechanisms. As for the types of ankle fracture, posterior fracture and dislocation (21 cases, 43.3%) was most commonly found. Out of these 21 cases, 15 cases involved trimalleolar fracture, and 19 cases were associated with posterior malleolar fracture. Danis-weber type B and C patients were 11 cases and 10 cases respectively. Articular involvement of posterior malleolar fracture turned out to be average 27.9%(5.1%~49.1%) on simple x-ray. The rate was evaluated as average 31.7%(12.6%~55.3%) on computed tomography which was conducted 15 times, and led us to more meaningful data.
CONCLUSION
Anterolateral fracture and dislocation often accompanied open dislocation. Posterior fracture dislocation was most commonly found. Posterior malleolus was an important factor that ensures posterior stability of the ankle joint. Computed tomograph is useful to evaluate the articular involvement of posterior malleolar fracture.