Percutaneous intramedullary fixation of lateral malleolus fractures: technique and report of early results.

Twenty-four patients with Weber B and low Weber C displaced lateral malleolus fractures who underwent closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation with an intramedullary, fully threaded, self-tapping screw were retrospectively reviewed. Nineteen of these patients were followed for an average of 63.4 weeks. A good radiographic reduction was obtained in 87.5% of patients, a fair reduction in 8.3%, and a poor reduction in 4.2%. The reduction that was obtained was maintained in all patients. Fracture union was achieved in 95.5% of patients, with an average time to union of 8.2 weeks. In all patients the average time to full weight bearing was 6.8 weeks, whereas that in patients with isolated lateral malleolus fractures was 4.5 weeks. There were no deep wound infections or complaints of painful hardware. At latest follow-up, functional results were excellent in 42.1%, good in 42.1%, fair in 5.3%, and poor in 10.5% of patients. If reduction of the lateral malleolus fracture can be obtained in a closed fashion (with the aid of an image intensifier), we believe that fixation may be performed with an axial screw percutaneously. This technique requires minimal soft-tissue dissection, thereby decreasing wound complications and painful hardware sites that are occasionally observed after open techniques. This closed technique also eliminates screw penetration of the ankle joint and damage to the peroneal tendons, which can be risks when a plate or lag screws are employed as internal fixation. Surgical time is also reduced and tourniquet use is optional. If an acceptable reduction cannot be obtained using this technique, open reduction and internal fixation should be performed.