Introduction The presence of a posterior malleolar (PM) fragment has a negative prognostic impact in ankle fractures. The best treatment is still subject to debate. The aim of this study was to assess the medium-to-long-term clinical and functional outcome of ankle fractures with a PM fragment in a larger patient population. Materials and methods One hundred patients (69 women, 31 men, average age 60 years) with ankle fractures including the PM were evaluated clinically and radiographically. Patients with Bartoníček–Rammelt type 3 and 4 fracture displayed a significant female preponderance. Fixation of the PM was performed in 63% and tailored to the individual fracture pattern. Results Internal fixation of the PM fragment was negatively correlated with the need for syndesmotic screw placement at the time of surgery (p = 0.010). At an average follow-up of 7.0 years, the mean Foot Function Index (FFI) was 16.5 (SD: 21.5), the Olerud Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) averaged 80.2 (SD: 24) and the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle/hindfoot score averaged 87.5 (SD: 19.1). The maximum score of 100 was achieved by 44% of patients. The physical (PCS) and mental health component summary (MCS) scores of the SF-36 averaged 47.7 (SD: 12.51) and 50.5 (SD: 9.36), respectively. Range of motion was within 3.4 (SD: 6.63) degrees of the uninjured side. The size of the PM fragment had no prognostic value. There was a trend to lower outcome scores with slight anterior or posterior shift of the distal fibula within the tibial incisura. Patients who underwent primary internal fixation had significantly superior SF-36 MCS than patients who underwent staged internal fixation (p = 0.031). Conclusions With an individualized treatment protocol, tailored to the CT-based assessment of PM fractures, favorable medium and long-term results can be expected.

We present a technique of fixation of trimalleolar fractures with additional fracture of the anterior tibial tubercle ("quadrimalleolar") or anterior fibular rim ("quadrimalleolar equivalent"). Twenty-four patients with a mean age of 60 years were treated with open reduction and internal fixation of all 4 malleoli. There were 17 quadrimalleolar and 6 quadrimalleolar equivalent fractures. One patient had both anterior tibial and fibular avulsion fracture in addition to a trimalleolar ankle fracture. Surgical approaches and internal fixation were tailored individually. Twenty patients were operated in the prone position with direct fixation of the posterior malleolus and 4 patients in the supine position with anterior to posterior screw fixation of the posterior malleolus. After fixation of al 4 malleoli, only 1 patient (4%) required a syndesmotic screw for residual syndesmotic instability on intraoperative testing. There were no infections and no wound healing problems. All patients went on to solid union. Nineteen patients (79%) were followed for a mean of 77 months (range, 15-156 months). The Foot Function Index averaged 15 (range, 50 to 0), the Olerud and Molander Score averaged 79 (range, 45-100), and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle and Hindfoot Scale averaged 87 (range, 39-100). Fixation of the anterior and posterior tibial fragments increases syndesmotic stability by providing a bone-to-bone fixation. Anatomic reduction of the anterior and posterior tibial rim restores the physiological shape of the tibial incisura and therefore facilitates fibular reduction.

Aims The treatment of ankle fractures and fracture-dislocations involving the posterior malleolus (PM) has undergone considerable changes over the past decade. The aim of our study was to identify risk factors related to the occurrence of complications in surgically treated ankle fractures with PM involvement. Patients and methods We retrospectively analyzed 300 patients at a mean age of 57 years with 300 ankle fractures involving the PM treated surgically at our institution over a 12-year period. The following relevant comorbidities were noted: arterial hypertension (43.7%; n = 131), diabetes mellitus (DM) (14.0%; n = 42), thereof insulin-dependent (3.7%; n = 11), peripheral vascular disease (0.7%; n = 2), osteoporosis (12.0%; n = 36), dementia (1.0%; n = 3), and rheumatoid arthritis (2.0%; n = 6). Furthermore, nicotine consumption was recorded in 7.3% (n = 22) and alcohol abuse in 4.0% (n = 12). Results Complications occurred in 41 patients (13.7%). A total of 20 (6.7%) revision surgeries had to be performed. Patients with DM (p < 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.003) and arterial hypertension (p = 0.001) had a significantly increased risk of delayed wound healing. Alcohol abuse was associated with a significantly higher overall complication rate (OR 3.40; 95% CI 0.97–11.83; p = 0.043), increased rates of wound healing problems (OR 11.32; 95% CI 1.94–65.60; p = 0.001) and malalignment requiring revision (p = 0.033). The presence of an open fracture was associated with an increased rate of infection and wound necrosis requiring revision (OR 14.25; 95% CI 2.39–84.84; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified BMI (p = 0.028), insulin-dependent DM (p = 0.003), and staged fixation (p = 0.043) as independent risk factors for delayed wound healing. Compared to the traditional lateral approach, using the posterolateral approach for fibular fixation did not lead to increased complication rates. Conclusions Significant risk factors for the occurrence of complications following PM fracture treatment were identified. An individually tailored treatment regimen that incorporates all risk factors is important for a good outcome.