Clinical effectiveness of suture anchor repair combined with open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of deltoid ligament rupture in ankle fracture

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effectiveness of suture anchor (SA) repair combined with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in the treatment of deltoid ligament rupture (DLR) in ankle fractures. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 210 patients with DLR in ankle fracture who were treated in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from January 2020 to June 2022. According to the surgical records, 125 patients received SA repair combined with ORIF (Repair group) and 85 patients received ORIF only (Non-repair group). The curative effect, recovery of ankle joint function, pain, and bone metabolism of the two groups were observed. RESULTS: The clinical effectiveness (overall good) was higher in the Repair group (P<0.05). The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was higher three and six months post-operation in the Repair group, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was lower than that of the Non-repair group (P<0.05). The Repair group had higher levels of bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and bone gla protein (BGP) than the Non-repair group six months post-operation (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SA combined with ORIF has a good effect in the treatment of DLR in ankle fracture patients, which can promote the recovery of ankle function, relieve postoperative pain and improve bone metabolism.