ARTHROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF INTRA-ARTICULAR ANKLE FRACTURES.

Background: The classic operative management of ankle fractures is open reduction- internal fixation (ORIF). Despite radiographic evidence of anatomic reduction, there is a failure to achieve good clinical outcomes. The high incidence of concomitant intra-articular pathology associated with ankle fractures that may go unrecognized using traditional open approaches is possible reason for this. Methods: The main target of this research is to evaluate frequency of cartilage injuries with ankle fracture and its effect on functional outcome. This is a prospective study was carried out in orthopedic department at Zagazig university hospital on 49 patients with ankle fracture managed by fixation with concomitant usage of arthroscopy. Results: In this study 40 patients had cartilage injuries (83%) and 9 cases were free. As regarding syndesmotic injuries, 23 patients (48 %) had syndesmotic injuries which were complete rupture (13 cases) and partial injuries involve rupture of anterior tibiofibular ligament rupture (10 cases). The functional results were graded according AOFAS score as excellent in 16 patients, good in 20 patients, fair in 10 patients, with poor results in 3 patients. Conclusions: The ankle arthroscopy has prognostic and diagnostic advantages that can help to manage ankle fracture. we expect that arthroscopy will be mandatory in dealing with ankle injuries as it is superior to traditional methods in showing hidden side of trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]