Defining a Safe Zone for Percutaneous Screw Fixation of Posterior Malleolar Fractures

Posterior malleolar fractures require fixation to confer stability to the ankle. Although some have suggested that fractures involving less than 25% of the articular surface require no intervention, estimation of malleolar size on plain imaging is inaccurate. Some posterior malleolar fractures may be particularly suitable for posterior-to-anterior percutaneous screw fixation of the posterior malleolus via a posterolateral approach. We hypothesized that there may be a safe zone in the posterolateral ankle, identifiable with reliable anatomic landmarks, that might allow safe percutaneous screw placement for fracture fixation. The study protocol involved Step 1, in which multiple Kirschner wires were used in a single cadaveric specimen to attempt to identify a safe zone entry point in the posterior ankle, and Step 2, in which a single wire was used in each of six additional cadaveric specimens to test the ability to safely replicate the use of that entry point. In Step 1, a safe zone entry point was identified, located immediately lateral to the Achilles tendon and 1 cm above the level of the tip of the medial malleolus, when visualizing the posterior ankle. In Step 2, using these landmarks and an image intensifier, single wires were then successfully placed in the other six specimens without injury to any significant structure. If confirmed in clinical studies, the safe zone entry point that we have identified could potentially be used to facilitate posterior-to-anterior percutaneous fixation in patients with posterior malleolar fractures for whom open reduction may not be required or may be contraindicated.