Fibula Nail Outcomes in Soft Tissue Compromised Ankle Fractures.

BACKGROUND

To determine the clinical outcomes following fibula nail fixation and to identify the indication for the use of fibula nails in lower limb fractures.

METHODS

Retrospective study of adult patients from 2 major trauma centers (MTCs) and 9 trauma units (TUs) who underwent fibula nail fixation for AO/OTA 44 fractures between January 1, 2018, and October 31, 2020. Outcome measures included infection, metalwork complications, nonunion or malunion, time to union, and length of inpatient hospital stay.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients were included, with a mean age of 66 years; 57.9% of patients were female. The average body mass index was 30. Sixty-nine patients (72.6%) sustained a Weber B and 24 (27.4%) sustained a Weber C fracture. In addition, 26.3% were open fractures and all patients had soft tissue compromise affecting the lateral malleolus. The calculated infection rate for fibula nail was 4.2% and metalwork complication rate was 5.2%. The nonunion and malunion rate was 8.4% and rate of removal of hardware was 2.1%. The average time to union was 12.5 weeks, and length of inpatient stay was 9.4 days (SD 10).

CONCLUSION

This multicenter study demonstrates that use of a fibula nail appears to be a safe approach to treating patients who have a physiologically higher risk of surgery, poor skin condition, and a complex fracture pattern.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.