A Clinical Study of the Severe Ankle Fracture

Chung, Woo Koo; Park, Dong Chul; Lee, Sung Won

Abstract

The primary goal of treatment of the adult ankle fracture is to effect the returning of normal func tion that is accomplished by the accurete reduction and rigid internal fixation followed by the early institution of motion. The authors have reviewed a series of 41 cases of the bimalleolar and trimalleolar ankle fractures that treated in Orthopedic Department of Eulji General Hospital, Seoul, from January 1982 to June 1986. With the duration of follow-up of average 13.2 months, we summarized the obtaind results as followings. l. Among the forty one patients, thirty one was male patient(M: F =3.1: 1). The average age was 33.2 years old. 2. The main cause of the fracture was traffic accident, 18 cases(43.9%) and other causes were slipping down(24.4%), fall from a height(14,6%), industrial injury(12.2%) and other injuries(4.9%). 3. According to the modified Lauge-Hansens classification, the supination-external type was most common (41.5%). 4. As a diagnostic method, the computerized tomography was also available. 5. All cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with the good radiologic results of 91.3% in bimalleolar fractures and 88.9% in trimalleolar fractures. 6. Of the bimalleolar fractures, ten patientz showed normal range of motion in 2 to 4 weeks, average 18.4 days, by early joint exercise.