Deltoid All-Inside Repair in SER IV Bimalleolar-Equivalent Ankle Fractures

BackgroundAnkle fractures are the second most common fractures of the lower limb. In supination-external rotation (SER) stage 4 injuries, the medial malleolus or the deltoid ligament is disrupted. The stability of the deltoid ligament is essential for the functionality, however, the need for surgical repair remains debated. The aim of this study is to assess deltoid stability in 12 ankle fractures treated with an all-inside repair technique.MethodsA prospective case series of 12 patients (8 men,4 women aged between 25 and 53 years who had a stage 4 LH SER ankle fracture with unstable deltoid ligament injury between September 2023 and February 2024. No patients in this study had an associated posterior malleolus fracture. All patients were treated with deltoid all-inside repair at the time of fracture fixation. Outcomes were measured using the VAS scales, radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and AOFAS scores are reported exclusively in the Supplementary Material for historical comparability, Stability was tested using stress and weight-bearing radiographs, measuring talar tilt (TT) and medial clear space (MCS).ResultsClinically, the patients had good results, with a mean VAS of 1.5 and AOFAS score of 87 at 6 months follow-up. There were no complications observed during the study period. MCS remained stable (P = .125), with means of 3.03 mm (postop), 2.87 mm (weight-bearing), and 3.38 mm (stress). Similarly, TT remained consistent (P = .597), with means of 1.17º (postop), 0.87º (weight-bearing), and 1.14º (stress). These findings confirm preserved joint alignment and ligament integrity postrepair.DiscussionTo the best of our knowledge, All-inside deltoid repair has been described; however, reports specifically within SER IV bimalleolar-equivalent fractures and short-term radiographic stability remain limited. The technique demonstrated favorable short-term functional outcomes and radiographic stability.ConclusionSER IV bimalleolar-equivalent ankle fractures, arthroscopic all-inside deltoid repair maintained radiographic reduction and yielded favorable short-term outcomes.Levels of EvidenceLevel IV, Case Series.