Lateral Malleolus Fixation with Fibular Rod

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Management
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• Unstable ankle injuries with fibula fractures typically require open surgery with plates and screws.
• Less invasive techniques, such as fibular rods, may offer benefits for select patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the successful use of a fibular rod for treating an unstable ankle injury.
• To evaluate this approach in a geriatric patient with insulin-dependent diabetes.

Main Methods:

• The study involved a geriatric patient with an unstable ankle injury and insulin-dependent diabetes.
• Treatment was performed using a fibular rod, implying an indirect reduction and less invasive fixation.

Main Results:

• The fibular rod successfully treated the unstable ankle injury in the described patient.
• This indicates a potentially effective alternative surgical option.

Conclusions:

• Fibular rod fixation is a successful treatment for unstable ankle injuries in specific cases.
• This approach may be particularly beneficial for elderly patients with comorbidities like diabetes.