Surgical Treatment of Malleolar Fractures of the Ankle

Thirty-four patients with malleolar fractures of the ankle, treated by early and accurate surgical fixation, were reviewed after an average follow-up of 2 years and 2 months. The ankles were assessed functionally, radiographically and clinically. Good clinical results were obtained in 71%, especially in the supination-evertion type. In the radiographical findings, anatomical reduction was obtained in 76%. We concluded that radiographically anatomical reduction was related to clinical results. Osteoarthritis developed in 28%, dominant in the pronation-dorsiflexion type. It is suggested that accurate reduction dictates the good clinical results and avoid developing osteoarthritis of the ankle joint.