Greater Acute Articular Inflammatory Response in Tibial Plafond Fractures as Compared to Ankle Fractures

Several factors are thought to contribute to posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) development, including the posttraumatic inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 injuries at the same joint with a different severity and prognosis. This study compared the intra-articular inflammatory response after rotational ankle fracture (lower energy and less PTOA) with tibial plafond fracture (higher energy and more PTOA).

This prospective comparative study was conducted at a level 1 trauma center between 2014-2019. Patients between 18 and 60 years of age with acute ankle or tibial plafond fractures were enrolled. Patients with preexisting ankle OA, autoimmune disease, additional injury, or open fractures were excluded. Synovial fluid aspirations were obtained within 24 hours of injury. The concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 were quantified.

Aspiration were obtained from 29 plafond fractures and 36 ankle fractures. Mean age was 43 years, and patients were predominately female (64%). Age, gender, and comorbidities did not vary between cohorts. Of the plafond fractures, 13 were 43-B and 16 were 43-C injuries. Ankle fractures were predominately 44-B injuries, and 15 ankle fracture had articular impaction. IL-10, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-13 were all significantly higher in acute plafond fractures as compared to acute ankle fractures.

This study compared articular inflammatory marker profiles after fractures of different severities. Several cytokines were elevated in plafond fractures as compared to ankle fractures, suggesting a greater inflammatory response with plafond fractures. Given the difference in prognosis for and higher rate of PTOA after plafond fractures, these data strengthen the case that postinjury inflammatory response plays a role in PTOA development. Given that the postinjury inflammatory response is one of the few modifiable variables of these injuries, future research in this area remains important.

Level II, prospective.