Distal tibiofibular synostosis after ankle fracture : A 14-year follow-up study

• Published in: Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 250 - 252
• Main Authors: ALBERS, G. H. R, DE KORT, A. F. C. C, MIDDENDORF, P. R. J. M, VAN DIJK, C. N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery 01.03.1996; British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery
• Edition: British volume
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Ankle Injuries - complications; Ankle Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Ankle Joint - physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Fibula - diagnostic imaging; Follow-Up Studies; Fractures, Bone - complications; Humans; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Radiography; Range of Motion, Articular; Synostosis - diagnostic imaging; Synostosis - etiology; Tibia - diagnostic imaging; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Human; Fibula; Tibiofibular distal; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Synostosis; Lower limb; Fracture; Trauma; Long term; Ankle; Tibia; Complication; Bone
• ISSN: 0301-620X; 2049-4394; 2044-5377; 2049-4408
• DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.78B2.0780250

Over an eight-year period up to 1983, a total of 322 consecutive patients had operations for ankle fractures; 176 were Weber type B and 128 type C. We were able to review 230 of these patients after a mean follow-up of six years (1 to 11) including 128 with Weber B and 102 with Weber C fractures. We used an ankle score which combined symptoms and clinical and radiological findings, with a maximum score of 100 points. The mean score for all 230 was 92 (68 to 100). Fifteen of these patients had developed a distal synostosis between the tibia and fibula, three after a Weber B and 12 after a Weber C fracture. In 13 of these 15 ankles the synostosis had been visible radiologically within three months of the operation. In the other two there had been radiologically visible calcification at the three-month follow-up. In 1993, we were able to review nine of the 15 patients with synostosis using the same scoring system. At a mean follow-up of 14 years (12 to 18) the mean score for those with synostosis was 91 (71 to 100), much the same as this group's previous score and the mean score of the whole group of operated patients. We conclude that distal tibiofibular synostosis after ankle fracture usually causes few symptoms and does not generally require any treatment.