Introduction: In a predicted 1–11 percent of sprained ankles, distal tibiofibular syndesmosis got injured. 40 percent of patients have ankle instability even after six months. This is because of widening of the ankle mortise due to stretch of syndesmosis after acute sprain. In fractures of the ankle, syndesmotic damage takes place in approximately 50 percent of type B Weber and in all of type C Weber fractures.

Aim: A Study to assess the incidence of ankle arthritis in syndesmotic disruption even after operative intervention.    

Materials & Methods: All cases of ankle injuries were assessed for syndesmotic disruption and finally taken up for surgery and Follow up achieved at regular time period for durations of 1 year. During the long term follow up few patients encounter ankle arthritis.

Results: Twenty patients with disruption of syndesmotic ligament in ankle injuries had been treated with stainless steel syndesmotic screws and subsequently removed in 8-12 weeks then allowed for weight bearing have studied from june 2015 to September 2017. Few patients had persistent pain in the ankle after weight bearing and ankle arthritis was encountered. The reason for persistent ankle pain and subsequent ankle arthritis was analysed.

Conclusion: It is necessary to fix the syndesmotic disruption with screws or endobutton to prevent ankle arthritis. But even after surgical management there are few patients had persistent ankle pain and subsequent arthritis.

Keywords- syndesmotic disruption, syndesmotic screws, ankle arthritis.

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Nithyakumar.V.R

Postgraduate in Orthopaedics, Rajah Muthiah Medical College & Hospital,

Annamalai University

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