Psychoyios, V.N., Thompa, S, Intzirtzis, P, Mpogiopoulos, A, Zampiakis, E
The Bone & Joint Journal
Abstract: Ankle fractures are among the most common injuries treated by orthopaedic surgeons, and surgical treatment is often required to optimize the results. This retrospective study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the TriMed ankle fixation system in the treatment of malleolar fractures.
During in last ten months, fifteen patients with an average age of 63 years uderwent open reduction and internal fixation of a bimalleolar anke fracture with the TriMed fixation system. A standart surgical approach was used for both the medial and lateral malleolus. Regarding the later malleolus, a TriMed Sidewinder plate which requires no additional interfragmentary screw was applied. Based on the morphology of the fracture of the medial malleolus, either interfragmentary screws or the sled-like medial malleolus fixation system was applied. One patient underwent in additional open reduction and internal fixation of the posterior malleolus. All fractures proceeded to uncomplicated union in an average healing time of 6 weeks. Excellent functional restoration of the ankle joing, comparable to the ipsilateral ankle, was achieved. The TriMed ankle fixation system represents a good alternative method in malleolar fracture fixation which simplifies the fracture reduction and obliterates the need for a lag screw, thus preserving the biology of the fracture site. Furthermore, it can be used for the reconstruction of distal fractures of the lateral malleolus. However, further long-term studies are recommended to evaluate the success of the TriMed fixation system.