Intramedullary Fibular Fixation in One-Stage Ankle Fracture Surgery With Soft Tissue Damage: A Study of 19 Cases

This study investigates the efficacy of one-stage surgical intramedullary fibular fixation in managing ankle fractures with associated soft tissue damage. Ankle fractures, often encountered, can lead to complications when coupled with soft tissue injury. Traditional plate and screw fixation can exacerbate infection risks and reduce wound healing. To address this, a minimally invasive approach employing intramedullary fixation of the fibula has been proposed. This retrospective analysis, conducted between 2019 and 2021, explores cases of intramedullary fibular fixation for ankle fractures with stage 2-3 soft tissue injuries. A total of 19 patients were included in the study. The procedure involved either ulna intramedullary nails or locking screws. Results indicate that the approach led to successful union (100%), one superficial infection (5.26%), and no complication was observed. While limitations include the retrospective nature and small sample size, this study contributes valuable insights into the use of intramedullary fibular fixation in one-stage surgery for ankle fractures with concurrent soft tissue damage.