Introduction

As per national guidelines for Ankle fractures in the United Kingdom, fractures considered stable can be treated with analgesia, splinting and allowed to weight bear as tolerated. The guidelines also suggest further follow-up not mandatory. This study was aimed at evaluating the current clinical practice of managing stable ankle fractures at a university hospital against national guidelines.

Fragility ankle fractures are traditionally managed conservatively or with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) fusion is an alternative option for the geriatric patient. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a detailed analysis of the functional and clinical outcomes of hindfoot nailing for fragility ankle fractures presented so far in the literature.

A systematic search was performed on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, identifying fourteen studies for inclusion. Studies including patients over 60 with a fragility ankle fracture, treated with TTC nail were included. Patients with a previous fracture of the ipsilateral limb, fibular nails, and pathological fractures were excluded.

Subgroup analyses were performed according to (1) open vs closed fractures, (2) immediate post-operative FWB vs post-operative NWB, (3) majority of cohort are diabetics vs minority of cohort are diabetics. Meta-regression analyses were done to explore sources of heterogeneity, and publication bias was assessed using Egger's test.

The pooled proportion of superficial infection, deep infection, implant failure, malunion, and all-cause mortality was 0.10 (95%CI:0.06-0.16; I2=44%), 0.08 (95%CI:0.06-0.11, I2=0%), 0.11 (95%CI:0.07-0.15, I2=0%), 0.11 (95%CI:0.06-0.18; I2=51%), and 0.27 (95%CI:0.20-0.34; I2=11%), respectively. The pooled mean post-operative OMAS score was 54.07 (95%CI:48.98-59.16; I2=85%). The best-fitting meta-regression model included age and percentage of male patients as covariates (p=0.0263), and were inversely correlated with higher OMAS scores.

Subgroup analyses showed that studies with a majority of diabetics had a higher proportion of implant failure (p=0.0340) and surgical infection (p=0.0096), and a lower chance of returning to pre-injury mobility than studies with a minority of diabetics (p=0.0385). Egger's test (p=0.56) showed no significant publication bias.

TTC nailing is an adequate alternative option for fragility ankle fractures. However, current evidence includes mainly case series with inconsistent outcome measures reported and post-operative rehabilitation protocols. Prospective RCTs with long follow-up times and large cohort sizes are needed to clearly guide the use of TTC nailing for ankle fractures.

Abstract

Fragility ankles fractures in the geriatric population are challenging to manage, due to fracture instability, soft tissue compromise, patient co-morbidities. Traditional management options include open reduction internal fixation, or conservative treatment, both of which are fraught with high complication rates. We aimed to present functional outcomes of elderly patients with fragility ankle fractures treated with tibiotalocalcaneal nails.

171 patients received a tibiotalocalcaneal nail over a six-year period, but only twenty met the inclusion criteria of being over sixty and having poor bone stock, verified by radiological evidence of osteopenia or history of fragility fractures. Primary outcome was mortality risk from co-morbidities, according to the Charlson co-morbidity index (CCI), and patients’ post-operative mobility status compared to pre-operative mobility. Secondary outcomes include intra-operative and post-operative complications, six-month mortality rate, time to mobilisation and union.

The mean age was 77.82 years old, five of whom are type 2 diabetics. The average CCI was 5.05. Thirteen patients returned to their pre-operative mobility state. Patients with low CCI are more likely to return to pre-operative mobility status (p=0.16; OR=4.00).

Average time to bone union and mobilisation were 92.5 days and 7.63 days, respectively. Mean post-operative AOFAS ankle-hindfoot and Olerud-Molander scores were 53.0 (range 17-88) and 50.9 (range 20-85), respectively. There were four cases of broken distal locking screws, and four cases of superficial infection. Patients with high CCI were more likely to acquire superficial infections (p=0.264, OR=3.857). There were no deep infections, periprosthetic fractures, nail breakages, non-unions.

TTC nailing is an effective treatment methodology for low-demand geriatric patients with fragility ankle fractures. This technique leads to low complication rates and early mobilisation. It is not a life-changing procedure, with many able to return to their pre-operative mobility status, which is important for preventing the loss of socioeconomic independence.

Introduction and Objective

Postoperative management regimes vary following open reduction and internal fixation of unstable ankle fractures. There is an evolving understanding that poorer outcomes could be associated with non-weight bearing protocols and immobilisation. Traditional non-weight bearing cast immobilisation may prevent loss of fixation, and this practice continues in many centres. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the complication rate and functional outcomes of early weight-bearing (EWB) versus late weight-bearing (LWB) following open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures.

Management of complex posterior malleolar fractures requires a detailed appreciation of ligamentous and bony anatomy for optimal fracture fixation and restoration of articular congruency. Pre operative planning is vitally important to determine the surgical strategy for complex ankle fractures. We evaluated pre operative planning strategy pre and post implementation of BOAST 12 guidelines (2016) focussing on pre operative CT scans prior to definitive fixation at a major trauma centre.

A multi-surgeon retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 2013 to 2018 was performed at a major trauma centre. Patients who had sustained a posterior malleolar fracture and definitive fixation were identified. Information was collated from PICS, PACS, the trauma database and operative notes.

134 patients were identified over a 5 year period who had sustained a posterior malleolar fracture and had definitive fixation. (Pre BOAST guidelines = 61, Post BOAST guidelines = 73). Prior to the implementation of BOAST guidelines ¼ with posterior malleolar fractures did not have a pre operative CT scan (15/61). Post implementation of BOAST 12 90% (66/73)patients with fixation of posterior malleolus fractures had a pre operative CT scan. Posterior malleolus surgery most commonly took place In patients between 18–30 years.

Following implantation of BOAST 12 guidelines there was a 15% increase in pre operative CT scanning for ‘complex ankle fractures'. Changes in national guidelines have heavily influenced pre operative planning strategy for ankle fractures at University Hospitals Birmingham. A detailed appreciation of fracture pattern pre operatively helps guide surgical strategy.

Background

Ankle fractures are often associated with ligamentous injuries of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, the deltoid ligament and are predictive of ankle instability, early joint degeneration and long-term ankle dysfunction. Detection of ligamentous injuries and the need for treatment remain subject of ongoing debate. In the classic article of Boden it was made clear that injuries of the syndesmotic ligaments were of no importance in the absence of a deltoid ligament rupture. Even in the presence of a deltoid ligament rupture, the interosseous membrane withstood lateralization of the fibula in fractures up to 4.5mm above the ankle joint. Generally, syndesmotic ligamentous injuries are treated operatively by temporary fixation performed with positioning screws. But do syndesmotic injuries need to be treated operatively at all?

Weber A fractures are a sub-group of ankle fractures parallel or distal to the joint line, below the level of the syndesmosis. Most stable Weber A fractures are managed conservatively with no significant difference in outcome vs. surgical intervention.^1,2In an effort to ensure staff time was being used as efficiently as possible, a consultant-led virtual fracture clinic (VFC) was introduced to manage Weber A fractures. Patients not requiring immediate surgery were reviewed remotely and, wherever possible, were ‘virtually discharged’ to a nurse-led telephone line. Those with diagnostic uncertainty, unusual features or delayed recovery received a face to face review from a nurse or surgeon.

To examine how patients were allocated under this protocol, along with overall patient satisfaction and functional outcome.

An audit of satisfaction and outcome was performed of all patients who presented with a Weber A fracture to the ED between October 2011 and October 2012. The minimum follow-up period was two years. A satisfaction and patient reported outcome (5-level-likert-scale, EQ-5D, MOXFQ) measure was conducted via telephone.^3,4After exclusions, 79 patients were left, of which 63 were successfully contacted (80%).

Of the 79 patients included, 33 (42%) required early face-to-face review while 46 (58%) were discharged with advice following discussion at the VFC. Of the 63 successfully contacted, receipt of the information leaflet was recalled by 61 (97%) and 54 (86%) were satisfied with the information they had received. There was no difference in patient satisfaction regarding recovery (p=0.079) or treatment information (p=0.236) provided between avulsion and transverse fractures or in functional outcome according to MOXFQ (p=0.626) or EQ-Vas (p=0.915) scores.

Patient satisfaction can remain high without face-to-face consultations following injury. This was demonstrated by the high satisfaction with recovery (83%) and with information provided (86%) and is consistent with current published literature and similar to what would have been achieved with traditional fracture clinic review.⁵The new protocol reduces unnecessary hospital attendances for patients and reduces the burden of unnecessary review in orthopaedic departments. Only 15% of patients required review at a traditional fracture clinic and 27% at a nurse-led clinic, freeing resources for more complex cases.

We undertook a retrospective audit to assess quality of service provided by Nurse-Led Review Clinic at Glasgow Royal Infirmary for patients sustaining ankle fracture requiring surgical stabilisation. Nursing staff had received training from the senior author regarding clinical examination and radiograph interpretation.

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical documentation and radiographs of 104 patients who attended from January 2009 to December 2009. Any clinical issues were identified and radiographs were scrutinised by two of the authors to assess accuracy of interpretation. Nurse-led management was then assessed as to its appropriateness. Finally two retrospective questionnaires were used to assess both the nurses and patients satisfaction with the clinic.

Nurse-led clinic protocol: First appointment 10 days: Wound review, application of lightweight plaster. Second appointment 6 weeks: Removal of plaster, check radiographs. Final appointment 12 weeks: Clinical assessment, radiographs, discharge. Clinical assessment: ensure wound satisfactory, range of movement and weight-bearing are improving. Radiographic criteria: 6 weeks: Assess for talar shift, lucency or metal-work concerns. 12 weeks: Assess evidence of fracture union, infection, loosening or backing out. If any concerns with the patients' progress nursing staff would discuss with the consultant.

First appointment: 7 wound problems. 5 managed by nurses and resolved. 2 discussed with surgeon, 1 settled, 1 required oral antibiotics. 3 radiographs discussed with surgeon. 2 conservative management. 1 re-operation. Second appointment: 7 wounds managed by nurses. 1 failure of fixation, discussed for re-operation. 2 concerns regarding metal in joint – treated conservatively. Final appointment: 7 referred to physiotherapy as slow to fully weight-bear. 5 discussed for removal of syndesmosis screw. 1 screw in joint, admitted for re-operation.

Clinical care provided at Nurse-Led clinic is appropriate and effective. Both nursing staff and patients were satisfied with the care provided. Nurse-led clinic reduces demands on fracture clinic appointments and is a safe, cost effective initiative.