Abstract
A study on cadaver ankles was performed; two methods of ‘Danis-Weber type B’ lateral malleolar fracture fixation were compared.
Materials and Method: Ten ankles from five female cadavers were used. The distal fibulae were osteotomised at the level of the syndesmosis with a saw and the fracture fixations were divided into two groups. In Group I, the fractures were fixed with traditional anteroposterior cortical screws and in Group II, the contra lateral fractures from the same cadaver were fixed with postero-anterior cortical screws. The distal fibulae in both groups were subjected to biomechanical compression and torsion forces and the force at which the fixation gave way was recorded.
Results: In the former group the breaking force was significantly lower than that required in the latter group by a mean of 0.4 kN.
In conclusion, the fixation done in Group II was found to be better.
The abstracts were prepared by Emer Agnew, Secretary to the IOA. Correspondence should be addressed to him at Irish Orthopaedic Association Secretariat, c/o Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Finglas, Dublin 11, Ireland.
