Lag screw only fixation in unstable distal fibular fractures in adult patients

Background: About ten percent of all fractures are adult ankle fractures, making them a prevalent injury. Neutralizing plate has been the traditional method for fixation of distal fibula fracture; however, this method has a number of complications. Based on recent clinical and biomechanical research has shown that lag screw-only fixation is a successful fixation technique for adults. Aim of the work: To evaluate lag-screw-only fixation's effectiveness of the oblique non-comminuted fractures of distal fibula in adult patients using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring scale.Patients and methods: Twenty patients were involved in the study who sustained distal fibula fracture. All were operated on via lag screws fixation only. Eight patients had distal fibular fractures as a uni-malleolar, while eleven had bi-malleolar fractures. The AOFAS scoring scale used for evaluating the functional result of the ankle of all patients after three and six months after surgery. Results: The mean AOFAS score among study group had shown a significant increase from 81.8 to 87.8 at six months postoperatively with p-value <0.001. Conclusion: Fixation of non-comminuted fractures of distal fibula with lag screws only in selected patients reduces postoperative wound complications and infection, as well as skin irritation and lateral ankle pain, resulting in no need for additional surgery and obtaining acceptable functional and radiological results.Key words: Lag screw, lateral malleolus, fracture