Abstract: Background: Malleolar fractures are a kind of regularly seen fractures in orthopedic department. As with all intra articular fractures, malleolar fractures necessitate anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation.
Objective: To study functional and radiological outcome of open reduction and internal fixation of malleolar fracture and associated complications and to study role of early mobilization and graded weight bearing.
Materials and Method: This study prospectively evaluated clinical, radiological and functional outcome of 39 patients of malleolar fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation at Madras institute of orthopaedics and traumatology, Chennai from May 2016 to May 2017. After open reduction, patients were followed clinically and radio logically at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. After operative procedure, functional and radiological outcome was assessed using Baird and Jackson score system.
Results: Majority were Supination-External Rotation injuries 19 cases. Most common implant used for medial malleolus fracture was 3.5mm cortical screw (84.6%) cases and for lateral malleolus semi tubular plate (64.1%). According to Baird and Jackson scoring system our results were excellent in 6 cases (15.4%), good in 22 cases (56.4%), fair in 8 cases (20.5%), poor in 3 cases (7.7%). Good results were observed in maximum patients, one patient developed infection and two patients developed ankle stiffness.
Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation of malleolar fracture is necessary to achieve anatomical reduction of the fracture fragments, ankle mortise congruity, restoration of the length of the fibula and restoration of syndesmotic integrity. We recommend to apply POP cast to prevent equines deformity and to start early range of motion of ankle as early as possible in cast after making dorsal window cut for 1 month.
