The ANK nail treatment of lateral malleolar fractures with syndesmosis injury: Clinical outcomes at 10 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Lateral malleolar fractures associated with syndesmotic injuries are common. Various surgical implants may be used for the management of syndesmosis injury. One of these is ANK nail. The aim of the present study was to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients treated with ANK nail.

METHODS: Forty-eight patients who were followed up for a minimum of 10 years were reviewed retrospectively using American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, radiological evaluation, and development of posttraumatic arthritis. Final data were collected at the last follow-up.

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 37.3 (17-69) years. The mean follow-up was 129.9 (123-150) months. Twenty-two patients had Weber type B fracture, and their mean AOFAS score was 93.36 points. The remaining 26 patients had Weber type C fracture, and their mean AOFAS score was 97.66 points. There was no relationship between the type of fracture and the clinical outcome. There was a significant correlation between shortening of the fibula and posttraumatic arthritis.

CONCLUSION: The ANK nail used for the management of ankle fractures may provide both fracture and syndesmosis stabilities in selected cases and is also a cost effective method as cheap as a cortical screw and a Kirschner wire.