vendex and Ankle-Fractures

Ankle torque is the most frequent injury mechanism encountered in traumatology. It usually develops as an ankle sprain, and often produces an ankle fracture. Signs and symptoms are very unspecific on the differential diagnosis, and conventional radiographs must be obtained to confirm it. This study compares ultrasound and standard X-ray images values found in ankle sprain-related fracture diagnoses. A 3-month prospective study was carried out on 52 patients with ankle torque. First, an ultrasound diagnosis was made by the first researcher at their arrival to the emergency department, usually consisting of a longitudinal section of the fibula, tibia, and V metatarsal. Then, a blinded independent investigator carried out the usual diagnosis protocol using traditional radiographs. When the required number was obtained, a third independent investigator evaluated the results. A Chi-squared test was used to contrast the outcomes between sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) comparing a non-inferiority hypothesis of our protocol against standard X-ray images screening. Echography showed to be at least as good as standard radiographs on the screening of ankle torque-related fractures (p = 0.02). In our series of patients, nearly 8% of fractures are misdiagnosed with plain radiographies, which concurs with the lower limit found in the bibliography. All the false negatives on radiographs were true positives in the first ultrasound assessment. The average time for the ultrasound protocol was 42 s. An ultrasound is at least as effective as conventional X-ray images when used in diagnosing ankle sprain-related fractures, regardless of age or sex and could in fact be better. The use of echography could reduce the number of radiographies performed when diagnosing these kinds of fractures, thereby reducing the amount of radiation exposure and expediting the diagnostic process as well as the "in situ diagnosis".Level of clinical evidence 2 [prospective cohort (N > 30 patients) study].

Topics: Adult; Ankle Fractures; Ankle Injuries; Diagnosis, Differential; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Torque; Ultrasonography; X-Rays

Osteoporotic bone with poor mechanical capacity provides limited stability after fixation of ankle fractures. Stabilization with an implant providing increased fixation strength in osteoporotic bone could reduce failure rates of fixation and allow a more functional treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a locking contoured plate for fixation of distal fibular fractures in comparison with a conventional contoured plate in an osteoporotic bone model. Eighty cylinders of osteoporotic bone surrogates were fixed with the two plates. We performed torque-to-failure and cyclic testing experiments using screws of different length with a Zwick/Roell testing machine. The locking system showed higher torque-to-failure and maximum torque levels as compared with the conventional plate in torque-to-failure experiments and torsional cyclic testing. The locking contoured plate provides improved fixation strength in the osteoporotic bone model. The locking system may be appropriate for fixation of distal fibular fractures, especially in osteoporotic bone with poor mechanical capacity.

Topics: Ankle Fractures; Bone Plates; Bone Screws; Compressive Strength; Equipment Design; Equipment Failure Analysis; Fibula; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Friction; Humans; Osteoporotic Fractures; Tensile Strength; Torque