• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.182-188
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• 2013

Purpose: We evaluate clinical manifestations and radiologic features of ankle fracture & dislocation, as well as the usefulness of computed tomography on posterior ankle fracture & dislocation to study factors contributing to ankle fracture & dislocation. Material and Methods: Ankle dislocation was defined as the center of talar body being translated over the cortex of tibia on AP or lateral view on simple X-ray. Surgical treatments of 30 patients from January 2007 to March 2012 were categorized according to the injury mechanism, the direction of dislocation and fracture site. Joint involvement of posterior malleoalr fracture was evaluated through simple x-ray and computed tomography. We treated surgically if posterior malleolus fracture involves more than 25% of dital tibial articular surface. Thereafter, clinical outcomes were identified through radiographs and by using the AOFAS score. Results: The mean age was 42(13-78) years old, and slip down was the most common injury mechanism (13 cases). Car accident (6 cases) and fall accident (4 cases) were the next frequently found injury mechanisms. As for the types of ankle fracture, posterior fracture and dislocation (21 cases, 43.3%) was most commonly found. Out of these 21 cases, 15 cases involved trimalleolar fracture, and 19 cases were associated with posterior malleolar fracture. Danis-weber type B and C patients were 11 cases and 10 cases respectively. Articular involvement of posterior malleolar fracture turned out to be average 27.9%(5.1%~49.1%) on simple x-ray. The rate was evaluated as average 31.7%(12.6%~55.3%) on computed tomography which was conducted 15 times, and led us to more meaningful data. Conclusion: Anterolateral fracture and dislocation often accompanied open dislocation. Posterior fracture dislocation was most commonly found. Posterior malleolus was an important factor that ensures posterior stability of the ankle joint. Computed tomograph is useful to evaluate the articular involvement of posterior malleolar fracture.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2017

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome of an operation with early rehabilitation from ankle fracture in accordance with the injury type. Materials and Methods: A total of 136 patients (70 males and 66 females) who underwent surgery and early rehabilitation for ankle fractures between December 2008 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The average age was 47.9 years, with a range of 18~79 years. The mean follow-up period was 28.7 months, with a range of 24~102 months. All patients were classified in accordance with the Lauge Hansen classification and anatomic fracture site. Moreover, the presence of ligament injuries were documented. A short-leg cast was applied postoperatively for two weeks; thereafter, patients began the range-of-motion exercises after cast removal. Full weightbearing was allowed at 2 weeks postoperatively. Each patient was assessed radiologically and clinically based on the OlerudMolander score, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, joint stiffness, and capability of single heel raising. Results: Seventeen patients (12.5%) complained of postoperative pain (VAS score 1~3), and the incidence was higher in patients with trimalleolar fractures or associated ligament injuries. Twenty-three patients (16.9%) complained of postoperative ankle stiffness. The mean Olerud-Molander score was 75.4/80 (range, 55~80). Olerud-Molander scores were lower in patients with ligament injuries than in those with fracture alone. There was no nonunion or fracture displacement even after early weightbearing walking. Conclusion: In this retrospective series, early rehabilitation after surgical restoration of ankle mortise by anatomical reduction and stabilization was shown to be successful. Earlier motion exercise and weightbearing walking can minimize fracture complications like joint stiffness or weakness in ankle fracture.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.130-135
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• 2013

Purpose: Preshaped Locking compression plate(LCP) has holes with fixed angle between screw and plate and have advantage firm fixation because it has stability of angular and axial deformity. We evaluated usefulness of LCP after open reduction and internal fixation in distal fibular fracture. Materials and Methods: Between December 2011 and May 2012, 23 patients with fracture of distal fibula were followed up at least 12 months underwent open reduction and internal fixation with LCP. There were 15 males and 8 females with a mean age 39.8(20~69) years. According to Danis-Weber classification, there were 20 cases of type B and 3 cases of type C. There were 13 cases of isolated lateral malleolus fractures, 1 case of bimalleolar fracture, 6 cases of trimalleolar fractures and 3 cases of distal tibia fractures with proximal fibula fracture. Intraoperatively, we assessed whether preshaped LCP fit lateral margin of distal fibula or not and evaluated quality of reduction and postoperative complications. The cases were analyzed by radiological bone union time and clinical results according to the criteria of Meyer Results: Of all cases, complete bone union was achieved and average radiological bone union time was 7.3(6~12) weeks. The clinical results were excellent in 18 cases(78%), good in 5 cases(22%). There were 5 cases of plate with 3 holes, 13 cases of plate with 4 holes, 2 cases of plate with 5 holes, 1 case of plate with 6 holes and 2 cases of plate with 7 holes. The average number of screws at proximal fragement was 2.5 and at distal fragment was 3.5. In 14 cases (60.8 %), we needed re-bending of plate because the distance between plate and lateral cortical margin of distal fibula was more than 5 mm at anteroposterior X-ray after reduction. All cases have anatomical reduction and there were no complications of wound infections. There were no complaint about hardware irritation. Conclusion: At fractures of distal fibula,preshaped LCP had a excellent stability although far cortex was not fixed with screw and bending of plate. And there are less complications of hardware irritation and wound problems. But, Some complement would be needed because there were no complete fitting between precontour of LCP and lateral cortical margin of distal fibula.