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BIMALLEOLAR ANKLE FRACTURE: A SIMPLE FRACTURE?
Junji Miller Fukuyama1, Robinson Esteves Santos Pires2, Pedro José Labronici3
1. Hospital Geral de Vila Penteado, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Deltoid ligament injury occurs in 50% of bimalleolar supination-external rotation ankle fractures. Smaller medial malleolus fragments correlate with partial deltoid ligament injuries, particularly involving the anterior colliculus.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Radiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Bimalleolar supination-external rotation ankle fractures are common injuries.
- The deltoid ligament's role in ankle stability is crucial.
- Understanding associated injuries improves treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of deltoid ligament injury in bimalleolar supination-external rotation ankle fractures.
- To investigate the relationship between medial malleolus fracture fragment size and deltoid ligament injury.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 26 patients with bimalleolar supination-external rotation ankle fractures.
- All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detailed assessment.
- Clinical and radiographic diagnoses were established prior to MRI.
Main Results:
- Deltoid ligament injury was identified in 50% of the patients (13 out of 26).
- Partial deltoid ligament injuries occurred in 26.9% (7 patients), and total injuries in 23.1% (6 patients).
- Average medial malleolus fragment size was 2.88 cm without deltoid injury, 1.93 cm with partial injury, and 2.1 cm with total injury.
Conclusions:
- Deltoid ligament injury is a frequent concomitant injury in bimalleolar supination-external rotation ankle fractures.
- Smaller medial malleolus fragments, especially from the anterior colliculus, are associated with a higher likelihood of partial deltoid ligament injury.
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