Published online Nov 18, 2022. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v13.i11.969
Peer-review started: May 25, 2022
First decision: August 1, 2022
Revised: September 1, 2022
Accepted: October 27, 2022
Article in press: October 27, 2022
Published online: November 18, 2022
The deltoid ligament is a key component of ankle fracture stability. Clinical tests to assess deltoid ligament injury have low specificity. In supination external-rotation (SER) type-IV ankle fractures, there is either a medial malleolus fracture or deltoid ligament injury. These injuries are often considered unstable, requiring surgical stabilisation. We look to identify the anatomical basis for this instability. This study investigates the anatomical basis for such instability by re-creating SER type ankle fractures in a standardised cadaveric study model, investigating the anatomical basis for such instability.
To investigate the anatomical basis for fracture instability in SER type ankle fractures.
Four matched pairs of cadaveric limbs were tested for stability both when axially loaded and under external rotation stress. Four matched pairs of cadaveric limbs (8 specimens) were tested for stability when axially loaded to 750 N with a custom rig. Specimens were tested through increasing stages of SER injury in a stepwise fashion before restoring the lateral side with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Clinical photographs and radiographs were recorded at each step. We defined instability in accordance with well accepted radiological parameters: > 4 mm medial clear space opening on a mortise-view radiograph or > 7 degrees of talar tilt.
All specimens with an intact posterior deep deltoid ligament were stable. Once the posterior deep deltoid ligament was sectioned there was instability in all specimens. Stabilisation of the lateral side prevented talar shift, but not talar tilt.
If the posterior deep deltoid ligament is intact then SER fractures can be managed without surgery. If the posterior deep deltoid is incompetent, ORIF and cautious rehabilitation is recommended because the talus can still tilt in the mortise.
Core Tip: The deltoid ligament is a key component of ankle fracture stability. No fracture with an intact posterior deep deltoid ligament demonstrated instability on axial loading or rotational stress. This study suggests the instability can only occur in the presence of posterior deep deltoid ligament deficiency, supporting the non-operative treatment of many ankle fractures. If the posterior deep deltoid ligament is intact then supination external-rotation fractures can be managed without surgery. If the posterior deep deltoid is incompetent, open reduction and internal fixation and cautious rehabilitation is recommended because the talus can still tilt in the mortise.