J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2006 Dec;10(2):207-212.

Treatment of Ankle Lateral Malleolar Fractures Accompanying Osteoporosis using Lag Screw

• Lee JY
• Lee KC

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of ankle lateral malleolar fractures classified as Danis-Weber type B accompanying osteoporosis that were treated with lag screw.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
15 cases of Danis-Weber type B ankle lateral malleolar fractures that had T score of less than -2.5 in BMD(bone mineral density) test were selected from June 2003 to December 2005. 10 cases were males and 5 cases were females with mean age of 59 years. The main injury mechanism was supination and external rotation. Mean follow-up period was 16 months. Clinical and radiologic evaluation was done according to Meyer and Kumler's criteria.
RESULTS
All cases showed satisfying result and mean radiologic bone union period was 3 months. Anatomic reduction and bone union was acquired in all cases without complications including wound infection, skin necrosis, delayed union and nonunion
CONCLUSIONS
Lag screw fixation seem to be excellent treatment of Danis-Weber type B lateral malleolar fractures with osteoporosis as it can minimize soft tissue injury and enable anatomic reduction with firm fixation.

Keyword

Lateral malleolus; Danis-Weber type B fracture; Osteoporosis; Lag screw

MeSH Terms

Ankle*
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Necrosis
Osteoporosis*
Skin
Soft Tissue Injuries
Supination
Wound Infection