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An optimal outcome of surgical treatment for a syndesmotic injury depends on accurate reduction and adequate fixation. It has been suggested that the use of a reduction clamp for reduction of the syndesmosis results in better reduction and a lower rate of redisplacement than manual reduction. However, these concepts have never been scientifically evaluated. We compared these 2 methods in a prospective randomized trial. A total of 85 acute ankle rotational fractures combined with syndesmotic injury were randomized to syndesmosis reduction with either a reduction clamp or manual manipulation. Reduction of the syndesmosis was assessed radiographically by measuring the tibiofibular clear space, tibiofibular overlap, and the medial clear space immediately postoperatively and at the final follow-up examination. Ankle joint range of motion, visual analog scale score, Olerud-Molander ankle scoring system, and complications were obtained at the last follow-up visit to assess the clinical outcomes. Of the 3 radiographic measurements, the tibiofibular clear space and tibiofibular overlap differed significantly between the 2 groups (p < .05). The clinical outcomes did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (p > .05). Although differences were found in the radiographic measurements, most syndesmoses in both groups were within the normal range at the final follow-up visit, and the 2 methods of syndesmosis reduction provided similar clinical outcomes. Accordingly, the results of the present study suggest that both of these methods are effective and reliable for reduction of the syndesmosis in rotational ankle fractures.

In a 31-year-old man, the diagnosis of medial compartment syndrome of foot was delayed for 8 days. In contrast to previously reported cases, the patient presented with mainly bilateral lateral thigh-referred pain rather than foot pain. Although delayed decompression of the medial compartment provided dramatic relief of the referred pain, the patient complained of sensory deficit at the medial side of the foot and flexion deformity of the great toe at the final follow-up visit. Medial compartment syndrome of the foot can cause referred pain, and delayed or missed diagnosis can cause irreversible damage. Therefore, prompt diagnosis of compartment syndrome is crucial, and clinicians must consider the possibility of referred pain when the origin of pain is uncertain.

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