Ankle Fractures Treated by Fixation of the Medial Malleolus Alone: Late Results in 29 Patients

Abstract

A review of 29 patients with unstable ankle fractures treated by fixation of the medial malleolus alone is presented. At follow-up the result in 16 patients was classified as unsatisfactory or a failure and all of these patients showed radiological signs of posttraumatic arthrosis deformans. The importance of the position of the lateral malleolus in order to prevent joint incongruity and subsequent arthrosis is emphasized.

Key Words:

• ankle fractures
• arthrosis