Ankle Fracture Fixation

Flashcards covering key concepts and techniques from the Ankle Fracture Fixation lecture.

Complex Ankle Fracture

Characterized by fracture combination, segmental fracture pattern, associated plafon fractures, marginal joint impaction, associated syndesmosis injury, associated deltoid limb injury, and fragment-specific concerns.

AO Principles

A surgical technique to achieve an anatomic reduction of a fracture, compress it with a lag screw, and then apply a neutralization plate to maintain the reduction and stability.

Plates for Posterior Tibia and Fibula

These plates are well-contoured, low profile, and stiff, allowing for early weight-bearing and functional rehabilitation.

AccuSynch Device

Used for syndesmosis fixation, providing a more forgiving fixation method with a lower reoperation rate, especially in cases of complete syndesmosis disruption.

Centroid View

A method described in Foot and Ankle International, involving an internal rotation lateral X-ray to position the fibular shadow in the center of the tibial shadow, ensuring accurate flexible fixation placement along the perpendicular axis of the syndesmosis.

Acu-Sinch Device Orientation

The suture button device is oriented vertically to reduce the risk of cinching down the button on a vein or nerve when placed percutaneously.

Locking Plate Constructs

In segmental fibula fractures, these constructs, along with K-wires, are essential for regaining length and restoring the fibula's alignment.

Posterior Malleolus Fixation Safe Zone

A technique for percutaneous screw compression of a posterior malleolus fracture, involving a wire run from antramedial to postralateral and a screw run back from postralateral to antramedial.

AccuCinch Devices

Used along the centroid axis in combination with flexible fixation, combined with deltoid ligament repair for stability and anatomy restoration of the ankle.

Ballooning Out of the Shadow

Causes micromotion, rotational motion, and translational motion of the fibula relative to the tibia, allowing the syndesmosis to heal in a stable, near-normal position.

Fibular Nail

A great MIS option that can go long or short to fit narrow or wide isthmuses, and includes headless hexalobe screws, optional proximal locking, and compatibility with AccuSynch devices.

Posteriolateral Exposure

Using this approach is vital for directly reducing a posterior malleolus fracture, finding the apex, and creating a good anti-glide.

AccuMed System

Precontoured plates provide better bite and match the contour of the tibia, offering locking swap-out options and cortical screws to aid in reduction.

Order of Fragment Specific Reduction

Reducing the posterior medial tibia BEFORE reducing posterolateral.