Expanding the use of the ankle distractor in the treatment of complex ankle fractures

Use of the ankle distractor with ankle arthroscopy is well known to allow improved evaluation of the intraarticular surfaces. A less common application of the ankle distractor is for the treatment of complex ankle fractures. We evaluated the use of the ankle distractor in the treatment of six patients with ankle trauma. Five of these cases involved comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal tibia, and one case involved a malunion of an ankle fracture with widening of the mortise. In each case, the ankle distractor increased the exposure of the ankle joint and allowed better access for fracture fragment reduction. There were no complications associated with the use of the distractor. The technique of using the ankle distractor in these situations is described.