To investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Maisonneuve fractures.

Data of 21 cases of Maisonneuve fractures from February 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 16 males and 5 females with an average age of 38.8 years (range, 21 to 61 years). The fractures occurred on the left side in 11 patients and on the right side in 10 patients. The causes of injuries were traffic accident in 4 patients, sprain injury in 9 patients and falling injury from height in 8 patients. There were 16 cases of medial malleolar fractures and 5 cases of ruptures of deltoid ligament (4 entirely and 1 partial). There were 17 cases of fractures of the posterior malleolus, among which there were 5 of typeⅠ, 8 of typeⅡ and 4 of type Ⅲ according to the Bartonícek classification of posterior malleolus. There were 4 cases without fracture of posterior malleolus including 1 complete disruption of posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament. Four cases were overlooked of Maisonneuve fracture at the first time. The interval between injury and operation was 2-12 days (mean, 4.9 days).

Stabilization of proximal fibular fractures were achieved with plate in 3 cases. There were 16 cases of medial malleolar fractures, and the fixation were achieved with cannulated screws in 13 cases and with anti-glide plates in 3 cases. The entirely rupture of deltoid ligament was repaired in 4 cases with suture anchors, the partial rupture of deltoid ligament was not repaired. There were 17 cases of posterior malleolar fractures, 12 cases treated with open reduction and internal fixation including cannulated screws in 9 cases and anti-glide plates in 3 cases. Stabilization of syndesmosis was achieved with syndesmotic plate in 1 case; the medial and posterior malleolar fractures were stabilized and anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament was repaired with suture anchor in 1 case; the other 19 cases were stabilized with syndesmotic screws, 2 screws in 11 cases and 1 screw in 8. Twenty-one patients were followed up for 13-48 months with an average of 25.6 months. The time of bony union was from 3 to 6 months with an average time of 4.9 months after operation. All patients received anatomical reduction without postoperative complications such as incision infection, reduction lose, breakage of screw and posttraumatic arthritis. In 13 cases, the syndesmotic screw was removed at the mean time of 15.38 weeks postoperative (range, 13-25 weeks). At the latest follow up, AOFAS score was from 84 to 100, with excellent in 13 cases, good in 8 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 100% (21/21). Baird-Jackson score was from 83 to 100, with excellent in 11 cases, good in 8 and fair in 2, and the excellent and good rate was 90.48%(19/21).

The diagnosis of proximal fibular fracture of Maisonneuve fracture is easily missed. The complete rupture of deep deltoid ligament and displaced obviously of posterior malleolar fracture should be reduction and stabilization. The accuracy of reduction of the syndesmosis is of great concern. The outcome of operation is satisfied.

Ankle joint; Fibula; Fractures, bone; Ligaments