Mid-term outcomes of ankle fracture repair with the Ilizarov method

Introduction The aim of the study was to analyze the functional results of surgical treatment in patients with unstable ankle fractures with the Ilizarov method (controlled retrospective cohort monocenter non-randomized study; Level of evidence II). Materials and methods Fifty-three patients, 15 males and 38 females, in the mean age of 48 years, with ankle fractures met the inclusion criteria. The patients were divided into three groups according to the principle of dominant lesion location and according to the number of damaged bone structures. The patients underwent surgical interventions comprising closed reduction and external fixation with the Ilizarov apparatus bridging the ankle and subtalar joints. The study period was 34.6 months after surgery. Functional outcomes were evaluated based on the data of the AOFAS questionnaire. Results The average AOFAS score for Weber type A fractures was 95.25 ± 6.84 (SD), 93.77 ± 6.85 (SD) for type B, and 93.57 ± 4.03 (SD) for type C. In the patients with isolated fractures of the lateral malleolus it was 93.44 ± 8.38 (SD), in bimalleolar fractures - 94.09 ± 6.41 (SD), and in trimalleolar fractures - 93.71 ± 6.39 (SD). There were no significant differences between the groups of patients with different (Weber) types of ankle fractures. There was tendency to worse outcomes in patients whose surgical treatment was carried out 7 days or more after the injury. Conclusion Ankle osteosynthesis with the Ilizarov apparatus in unstable ankle fractures demonstrates excellent mid-term (range, 2 to 4 years) functional outcomes. The number of damaged bone structures of the ankle joint and the location of the dominant injury are not predictors of an unfavorable outcome in unstable ankle fractures in case of definitive fixation with the Ilizarov apparatus. There is a tendency to worse functional outcomes in delayed surgical treatment if the time from injury to surgery is more than seven days.