Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of using percutanous intramedullary screw and its efficacy on fixation of lateral malleolar ankle fractures.

Methods and Materials: Twenty-five patients with Weber A and Weber B displaced lateral malleolus fractures were retrospectively reviewed after they had done closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation with an intramedullary fully threaded screw with a washer. A 3.5-mm, fully threaded, self- tapping bone screw. The length of the screw varies between 90 mm and 110 mm, depending on the fracture location and pattern.

Results: All fractures united within an average time to union of 5.86 ± 1.74 weeks. There were no deep wound infections or complaints of painful hardware. At latest follow-up, functional results were excellent in 16 patients (64%) good in 8 patients (32 %), fair in one patient (4%).

Conclusion: Percutaneous intramedullary screw fixation is a good easy technique in management of   lateral malleolar fracture that provides good clinical and radiological results as it is rapid, minimally invasive and  without prominent  hardware.

Keywords: Ankle Fracture; Lateral Malleolus; Intramedullary Screw

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Ahmed Ramadan Darwish

Orthopaedic and Traumatology Department, Al Azhar University, Egypt