Are Rush Nails Still a Good Choice for Fibula Fixation in Ankle Fractures? A Retrospective Study with Five Years Follow-Up

Objectives

The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate if Rush nail fixation still has a role in distal fibular fractures surgery compared with locking plate in terms of fixation quality, complications, functional results and patient satisfaction level.

Methods

This study included 109 patients (average age 56.05), who had undergone operative treatment for bi- or trimalleolar fractures between 2009 and 2014. The patients were evaluated retrospectively, divided in group A (57 patients treated with Rush nail) and group B (52 patients treated with locking plate). The patients were evaluated at an average 4.9 years of follow-up (SD: 1.01) with Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society - Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for clinical outcomes. X-rays were conducted to assess ankle osteoarthritis using the classification system by Takakura and joint space symmetry using measurements in comparison with contralateral ankles.

Results

The groups were homogeneous regarding age and gender. Patients treated with Rush Nail fixation (Group A) showed statistically significant worse clinical results at functional scores (78.1 Group A versus 88.7 Group B at the OMAS (P<0.05); 83.1 Group A versus 90.1 Group B at the AOFAS (P<0.05); higher pain levels in the VAS (3.9 Group A versus 2.4 Group B) and lower satisfaction rates (52.6% Group A versus 73.1% Group B (P<0.05)) in comparison with patients treated with locking plate fixation (Group B). However, infections rate was significantly lower in Group A (1.8%) than in Group B (9.6%) (P<0.05). Radiographic evaluation showed more cases of post-traumatic osteoarthritis in Group A (35.1% Group A versus 15.4% Group B (P<0.05)) and worse results in regards to restoration of joint space symmetry (45.6% Group A versus 73.1% Group B (P<0.05)).

Conclusion

Results of current study indicates that even though plating of lateral malleolus in bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures is superior in fracture reduction quality, early functional recovery, reduced incidence of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and greater patient satisfaction, Rush nail fixation still provides acceptable clinical results with a lower infection rate. Therefore Rush nails could be considered as a valid choice in selected patients with high risk of soft tissue complications or low functional demand.

Plate fixation versus percutaneous rush pinning for osteosynthesis of the fibula in pilon fractures. A retrospective comparative study

BACKGROUND

Pilon fractures are complex injuries of the ankle associated with many postoperative complications. The optimal treatment for pilon fractures has not yet been established. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and compare the results of percutaneous rush pinning of the associated fibular fracture to the conventional open reduction and internal fixation.

METHODS

We included in the study all patients admitted in our department with the diagnosis of pilon fracture and associated fracture of the distal fibula and treated with primary open reduction and internal fixation between 2012 and 2018. We excluded patients treated with a two-stage approach, and those with an open fracture or neurovascular insufficiency.

RESULTS

The study included 87 patients; 45 had their distal fibular fracture operatively fixed with a one-third tubular plate (ORIF group), and the remaining 42 patients underwent percutaneous intramedullary pinning of the fibula fracture with a rush nail (Rush group). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding age, gender, mechanism of injury, operating, and hospitalization time. The superficial infection rate was lower in the Rush group (p =0.039), but there were no statistically significant differences in the deep tissue infection, nonunion, and malunion incidence between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous intramedullary rush pinning of the concomitant fibular fracture is a safe and reliable alternative treatment option in managing pilon fractures that could reduce the incidence of postoperative wound complications HIPPOKRATIA 2021, 25 (2):63-68.

Outcome of Distal Both Bone Leg Fractures Fixed by Intramedulary Nail for Fibula & MIPPO in Tibia

BACKGROUND

Fractures of the distal third of the tibia are mostly associated with a fibular fracture that often requires fixation. The preferred treatment of distal tibial fracture is the minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) procedure. However, there are no clear cut guidelines on fixation of the fibular fracture and currently most orthopedic surgeons use a plate osteosynthesis for the fibula as well. A common complication associated with dual plating is an increased chance of soft tissue necrosis, infection, and in some cases resulting in an exposed implant. We conducted a prospective study to analyze the results of fractures of the distal in both leg bones managed by the MIPPO procedure for tibial fractures and a rush nail for fibular fractures.

METHODS

The study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from November 2012 to May 2014, a total of 30 fractures in 30 patients (18 males, 12 females) with a mean age of 42.4 years (26-60 years) were treated in our institution in the aforesaid time period with MIPPO for tibia and rush nail for fibular fractures. All the cases were operated on by a single surgeon in emergency within 24 hours. The patients with skin blistering and compound fractures were excluded from this study. Rehabilitative measures were proceeded as per patient's pain profile, isometric and isotonic exercises were started on the first post-operative day, with full weight bearing at 10-12 weeks after assessing clinical and radiological union. Regular follow up of patients was done, radiographs were taken at the immediate post-operative period and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks.

RESULTS

All the patients were available for regular follow up. Radiological and clinical union proceeded normally in all the patients, no patients had signs of any deep infection, delayed union or nonunion, three patients had a superficial infection of the tibial incision that healed with a change in antibiotic.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of dual plating for fixation of the lower tibia and fibula fractures is often associated with soft tissue complications, exposed implant, and increased risk of infection. We conclude that in fractures of the distal tibia and fibula it is better to use a rush nail for the fibula with a concurrent MIPPO for the tibia for the reasons cited above. Moreover, with the use of rush nail the cost of implant is also reduced, which is a very important factor in developing countries.