Fixation of medial malleolar fractures with magnesium bioabsorbable headless compression screws: short-term clinical and radiological outcomes in eleven patients.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of medial malleolar fractures treated with magnesium (MgYREZr) bioabsorbable compression screw fixation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven patients with a medial malleolar fracture (either isolated or accompanied by bimalleolar or trimalleolar ankle fractures) who were treated with magnesium bioabsorbable compression screws between 2015 and 2016 in our hospital were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were monitored with a mean follow-up of 17.3 ± 4.1 months (range 12-24 months). The mechanism of injury was ground level falls in all patients. All fractures were classified as closed fractures. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society's (AOFAS) scale and the visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the clinical results during the final follow-up. Bone union and a possible loss of reduction were assessed with serial radiographs. Potential complications including revision surgery and infection were recorded and reported.

RESULTS

There were 11 patients (4 female, 7 male) with a mean age of 41 ± 21.9 years (range 20-78 years). Six patients had Herscovici type C and five patients had type B fractures. At the final follow-up the mean AOFAS score was 94.9 ± 5.7 points (range 85-100 points) and the mean VAS score was 0.4 ± 1.2 points (range 0-4 points). Radiographic solid union was achieved in all cases. No complications were seen during the follow-up. No patients required implant removal or revision surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study that investigates the use of bioabsorbable magnesium compression screws in medial malleolar fractures. The results of this study revealed that fixation of medial malleolar fractures with bioabsorbable magnesium compression screws provides adequate fixation with good functional results.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic, retrospective case series.