Temporary vertical transarticular-pin fixation of unstable ankle fractures with critical soft tissue conditions

Unstable ankle fractures are demanding injuries to treat. Open reduction and internal fixation are accepted as standard care, however, in patients with severe soft tissue damage or serious medical conditions, this approach may not always be advisable. Closed reduction with temporary fixation using vertical transarticular pins is one method to maintain joint alignment until an open technique is possible. Fourteen patients (median age: 59.5 years) with unstable ankle fractures, including three type-2 open fractures, were included in the study. Open reduction and fixation was delayed because of severe soft tissue damage, and a temporary transarticular pin fixation using two Kirschner wires was performed. After a median of 8.4 days, an open reduction and internal fixation was carried out in all patients. No complications related to the temporary arthrodesis were observed during the acute phase, and follow-up at 24 months revealed no damage to the articular surface attributable to the pin insertion. The median Olerud-score was 33.43, but three patients showed signs of early post-traumatic arthritis which we felt were due to the initial fracture. We conclude that closed reduction and temporary fixation using vertical transarticular pins of unstable ankle fractures is a safe method of maintaining joint alignment until a definitive open approach is feasible.