Is an Arthroscopically Assisted Reduction and Fixation Necessary in the Medial Malleolar Fracture of the Ankle?

족관절 내과 골절시 보조적 관절경적 정복 및 내고정술이 필요한가?

We treated 10 cases of the medial malleolar fracture of the ankle by open reduction and internal fixation from June 1997 to December 1997. After the rigid internal fixation, we measured the gap of the fracture site and the step off of the articular surface by special instrument under the ankle arthroscopy whether it was reduced anatomically or not. And we tried to know the necessity of the arthroscopically assisted reduction and fixation in the medial malleolar fracture of the ankle. Under the arthroscopic view, all 10 cases were anatomically reduced as less than 1 mm of gap of the fracture site and less than 1mm of step off of the articular surface after open reduction and internal fixation in the medial malleolar fractures. In conclusion, through the arthroscopic management, it has advantage in finding and treating the accompanying intraarticular lesion, but also has disadvantage in setting the arthroscope and prolonging the operation time.