Effect of Distal Tibiofibular Destabilization and Syndesmosis Compression on the Flexibility Kinematics of the Ankle Bones: An In Vitro Human Cadaveric Model.

Background: Overcompression of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis during open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fracture may affect multidirectional flexibility of the ankle bones.

Methods: Ten cadaveric lower limbs (78.3±13.0 years, 4 female, 6 male) underwent biomechanical testing in sagittal, coronal, and axial rotation with degrees of motion quantified. The intact force (100%) was the force needed to compress the syndesmosis just beyond the intact position, and overcompression was defined as 150% of the intact force. After intact testing, the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL), interosseus membrane (IOM), and posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL) were sectioned and testing was repeated. The IOM and AITFL were reconstructed in sequence and tested at 100% and 150% compression.

Results: Overcompression of the syndesmosis did not significantly reduce ROM of the ankle bones for any loading modality (P > .05). IOM+AITFL reconstruction restored distal tibiofibular axial rotation to the intact condition. Axial rotation motion was significantly lower with AITFL fixation compared with IOM fixation alone (P < .05). The proximal tibiofibular syndesmosis demonstrated significantly higher motion in axial rotation with all distal reconstruction conditions.

Conclusion: As assessed by direct visualization, overcompression of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis did not reduce ROM of the ankle bones. Distal tibiofibular axial rotation was significantly lower with IOM+AITFL fixation compared with IOM augmentation alone. Distal tibiofibular axial rotation did not differ significantly from the intact condition after combined IOM+AITFL fixation. Dynamic fixation of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis resulted in increased axial rotation at the proximal tibiofibular syndesmosis.

Clinical relevance: These biomechanical data suggest that inadvertent overcompression of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis when fixing ankle fractures does not restrict subsequent ankle bone ROM. The AITFL is an important stabilizer of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis in external rotation.

Level of evidence: controlled laboratory study.