Single- vs 2-Screw Lag Fixation of the Medial Malleolus in Unstable Ankle Fractures:

Background:The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of medial malleolar fixation with 1 vs 2 screws.Methods:Between April 2013 and February 2017, 196 patients who presented at 2 hospitals within one academic institution with an unstable rotational ankle fracture with a medial fracture and were treated operatively by a trained orthopedic surgeon were identified. These patients’ charts were reviewed and their injury, radiographic, surgical, and follow-up data recorded. Medial malleolus fragment size was assessed on the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views of the initial injury radiograph. Functional outcome was assessed using Maryland Foot Score (MFS). Patients were grouped based upon the number of screws utilized to fox the medial malleolar fragment. Data were assessed using Fisher exact tests and independent t tests with SPSS, version 23.Results:Out of the 196 patients who met inclusion criteria, 47 patients (24%) were fixed with 1 medial malleolar screw and 149 patients (76%) were fixed ...