Abstract
The goal of treatment of an intra-articular fracture is anatomic restoration of normal anatomy and rigid internal fixation to allow for early motion. Weber Type ‘B’ ankle fractures (AO Type B and Lauge-Hansen supination-external rotation) are the most common ankle fractures that require internal fixation. Brunner and Weber first described the use of antiglide plate for treatment of these fractures in 1982. The aim of our study was to assess the functional and radiological outcomes of patients who underwent this procedure. This was a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series, reviewing patients over a ten year period, from 1990 to 1999, in a regional orthopaedic and trauma unit. There were 122 antiglide plate fixations performed in total over the period under review. Our group consisted of 64 patients who had an isolated closed lateral malleolor fracture, thereby excluding patients with open injuries and bimalleolar fractures. 6 patients were lost to follow-up. There were 25 males (age 19–64 years) and 31 females (age 13–62 years) with a mean age of 42 years. The patients were assessed by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score and the average follow-up was 5.8 years. The implant used was a 3.5mm AO DCP applied along the posterior surface of the lateral malleolus. This was followed by early commencement of postoperative ankle and foot exercises, allowing toe touch weight bearing out of cast until union. Our results (AOFAS Score out of 100) show that 92% (52 patients) had good to excellent result (Score> 80) with only 8% (4 patients) had a satisfactory outcome. We recommend the use of an antiglide plate because of its biomechanical stability especially in osteoporotic bones which allows for early motion and the nearly nil incidence of implant removal.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Ray Moran. Correspondence should be addressed to him at Irish Orthopaedic Associaton, Secretariat, c/o Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Finglas, Dublin 11.
