Arthroscopy-Assisted Reduction in the Management of Isolated Medial Malleolar Fracture.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of arthroscopic reduction percutaneous fixation (ARPF) in the treatment of isolated medial malleolar fracture and compare the results with those of conventional open reduction internal fixation (ORIF).

METHODS

This prospective study enrolled 77 patients with isolated medial malleolar fracture between November 2011 and February 2016. The patients were assigned to the ARPF (n = 34) and ORIF (n = 43) groups. The Olerud-Molander ankle score (OMAS), ankle range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale, and radiographic evaluation were determined at the scheduled follow-up.

RESULTS

In the ARPF group, 11 of 34 patients (32.4%) had chondral lesions. Tears of the deltoid ligament and anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament were noted in 3 (8.8%) and 15 (44.1%) patients, respectively. The mean follow-up was 5 years. The mean OMAS was higher in the ARPF group than in the ORIF group. The differences were statistically significant at 6 months (mean ± standard deviation, 80.2 ± 4.0 for ARPF vs 77.2 ± 4.1 for ORIF, P = .005) and 1 year (92.9 ± 4.9 vs 88.1 ± 4.6, P < .001), but not at the latest follow-up (P = .081). Ankle ROM was markedly improved in the ARPF group, unlike in the ORIF group at 6 months (dorsiflexion, P = .025; plantarflexion, P < .001) and 1 year (dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, P < .001). The improvement remained at the latest follow-up in plantarflexion (P = .001) but not in dorsiflexion (P = .354).

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopy-assisted reduction is a feasible alternative modality with superior short-term outcomes for treating isolated medial malleolar fracture, but its superiority may be attenuated in the intermediate term.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, comparative study.