Biodegradable fixation of ankle fractures. Complications in a prospective study of 25 cases
Frøkjaer, J.; Møller, B.N.
Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica 63(4): 434-436
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6470 PMID: 1529697 Document Number: 389119
In a prospective study, 25 displaced ankle fractures were treated with one or two biodegradable rods (Biofix), sizes 3.2 or 4.5 mm. In 2 cases the medial malleolus fractured during drilling. At the 1-year follow-up of 22 cases, the following complications had occurred: sinus formation in 1 case and osteolysis corresponding to the fracture line and/or drill channels in 9 cases, 2 of whom had symptoms. 2 patients had been reoperated on, one for pseudarthrosis and another for secondary fracture displacement. Because of the high complication rate and the unknown importance of osteolysis formation, we cannnot recommend biodegradable fixation with rods of 3.2 or 4.5 mm length as a supplement to the treatment of displaced ankle fractures, particularly of medial fractures.