Ankle arthroscopy does not elevate complication rates in ankle fractures.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Arthroscopy
• Traumatology

Background:

• Ankle fractures are common lower limb injuries requiring surgical intervention for instability.
• Ankle arthroscopy presents potential advantages for treating ankle fractures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of arthroscopic assistance on complication rates in surgically treated ankle fractures.
• To assess the efficacy of arthroscopy in managing intra-articular injuries associated with ankle fractures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective epidemiological analysis of 171 adult ankle fractures treated between December 2018 and December 2021.
• Patients underwent surgical treatment with arthroscopic assistance.
• Postoperative complications were classified as major or minor.

Main Results:

• A total of 171 patients (76 female, 95 male; average age 41.9 years) were included.
• Syndesmosis and deltoid ligament injuries were common (55.0% and 33.7%, respectively).
• The overall complication rate was 5.8% (2 major, 8 minor complications).

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic assistance in ankle fracture surgery is not associated with increased overall complication rates.
• The study identified a statistical relationship between chondral, syndesmotic, and deltoid ligament injuries.
• Arthroscopic techniques facilitate diagnosis and treatment of intra-articular pathologies, potentially reducing infection rates compared to open surgery.