Movement of the ankle joint after driving a screw across the inferior tibiofibular joint.

Twenty-eight patients with fracture-subluxation of the ankle were studied for at least 1 year after fixation with an oblique fibulotibial screw, supplemented when necessary by a screw in the medial malleolus and loops of wire around the fibula. The range of movement at each ankle was measured at 6 weeks and 1 year after operation. The patient's comments on mobility and symptoms were also noted. Irrespective of the radiological severity of the injury, 6 of the 28 had full movement at 6 weeks, and 13 at 1 year, and a further 9 had movement reduced by less than 5 mm, at 1 year, at which time 22 were free from symptoms.