Cross-Screw Fixation in Isolated Medial Malleolar Fractures.

Background: Isolated medial malleolar fractures are observed less often than are lateral malleolar fractures, bimalleolar fractures, and trimalleolar fractures. The aim of treatment is to provide anatomical reduction, protect this reduction until the fracture heals, and to regain normal ankle function. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients with isolated medial malleolus fracture treated with cross-screw fixation.

Methods: The study included 13 patients: 9 males with a mean age of 37.1 years (range, 25-64 years) and 4 females with a mean age of 40.2 years (range, 24-62 years) who were treated with the cross-screw fixation method for an isolated medial malleolar fracture. The fracture union status was evaluated on the 3-month postoperative radiographs, and the functional outcomes with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Scale (AOFAS) ankle score.

Results: The mean AOFAS score was 82 at 3 months postoperatively, evaluated as an excellent outcome in 2 patients, good in 9, and fair in 2. At the 24th month postoperatively, the mean AOFAS score was determined to be 92.2, evaluated as excellent in 11 patients and good in 2. On palpation of the medial malleolus, the mean VAS pain score was 2 (range, 1-3.8) at 3 months postoperatively, and a mean of 0.6 (range, 0.2-3) at 24 months.

Conclusions: Cross-screw fixation can be preferred for the fixation of isolated medial malleolar fractures as it causes less soft-tissue damage because it can be performed percutaneously, and the screw head has a low profile, thereby eliminating the need for a Kirschner wire to be applied together with the screw to prevent rotational deformity.