Foot and Ankle Surgery
Volume 15, Issue 4 , Pages 192-197, December 2009

A retrospective follow-up of ankle fracture patients treated with a biodegradable plate and screws

  • Arvo Kukk, MD

      Affiliations

    • Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Hanneksenrinne 7, 60220 Seinäjoki, Finland
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +358 64154744; fax: +358 64153314.
    • ,
  • Janne T. Nurmi, DVM, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
    • Inion Oy, Lääkärinkatu 2, 33520 Tampere, Finland

Received 5 September 2008; received in revised form 26 January 2009; accepted 13 February 2009. published online 17 April 2009.

Abstract 

Background

Biodegradable fixation implants have been developed to avoid secondary hardware removal. The aim of this study was to retrospectively follow-up ankle fracture patients treated with a biodegradable plate and screws, and to evaluate the clinical outcome and occurrence of complications.

Methods

Fifty-seven ankle fracture patients treated with biodegradable implants were invited, and a total of 50 were available to participate in this study. The follow-up included a review of each patient's medical records, evaluation of radiographs, fracture reduction classification, and functional scoring.

Results

There were 36 lateral malleolar and 14 bimalleolar fractures. No perioperative complications occurred. Average follow-up time was 17 months. All fractures healed. Fracture alignment was classified as anatomical in 49 patients and good in 1 case. The mean Olerud and Molander functional ankle score at final follow-up was 86. Eight patients had postoperative complications. These included delayed wound healing in 1 case, 3 cases of deep-vein thrombosis, and 4 soft tissue reactions.

Conclusions

According to the results of this retrospective study, the biodegradable implants used yielded fracture healing and functional results comparable to those previously reported after conventional metal fixation.

Keywords: Ankle fracture, Internal fixation, Biodegradable, Bioresorbable, Bioabsorbable

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S1268-7731(09)00030-7

doi:10.1016/j.fas.2009.02.008

Foot and Ankle Surgery
Volume 15, Issue 4 , Pages 192-197, December 2009

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution