VOLUME 17 , ISSUE 2 ( May-August, 2022 ) > List of Articles
Ethan Ponton, Ali Bakkai, Douglas J Courtemanche, Anthony Cooper
Keywords : Growth arrest, Iliac crest autograft, Lawn mower injury, Leg length discrepancy, Medial malleolus reconstruction, Physeal fracture, Severe open ankle injury, Traumatic bone loss, Varus deformity
Citation Information : Ponton E, Bakkai A, Courtemanche DJ, Cooper A. Late Ankle Reconstruction in a Child with Remote Traumatic Medial Malleolus Loss: Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes. 2022; 17 (2):131-135.
DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10080-1552
License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Published Online: 28-07-2022
Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2022; The Author(s).
Aim: This article aims to describe a novel surgical technique for medial malleolar reconstruction in a young child. Background: Severe open ankle injuries that result in bone and soft tissue loss carry a high risk for complications, especially in children who are still growing. These injuries can cause abnormal growth patterns, degenerative diseases, and recurrent instability. Cases of medial malleolar reconstruction have been previously described but none in a child this young. Case description: We present a case of an 13-year-old girl who suffered an open injury to the medial distal tibia with traumatic loss of the medial malleolus at the age of 2 and later suffered a Salter-Harris II fracture to the ipsilateral distal fibula. She presented with varus alignment, a leg length discrepancy, premature asymmetrical growth arrest, chronic non-union of the distal fibula physeal fracture, and severe attenuation of the deltoid ligament. Her secondary deformities were managed with distal fibula osteotomy and fixation, distal tibial hemi-plafond corrective osteotomy, and medial malleolus reconstruction with iliac crest autograft. Her leg length discrepancy was corrected by epiphysiodesis of the contralateral distal femur and proximal tibia. At the 2-year follow-up, the alignment was well maintained, the graft was healing well, and the patient reported no pain and being able to walk and play sports without a brace. Conclusion: Surgical reconstruction of the medial malleolus with correction for abnormal angulation and leg length discrepancies is critical to promoting healthy growth patterns and quality of life for paediatric patients. This severe open ankle injury can be successfully managed by distal fibula osteotomy and fixation, distal tibial intra-articular osteotomy, and medial malleolus reconstruction with iliac crest autograft. Clinical significance: This novel technique is an effective method for the surgical management of paediatric traumatic medial malleolar bone loss in children who are skeletally immature and are at risk of complications due to further growth.
© Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) LTD.
We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.
By clicking any link on this page you are giving your consent for us to set cookies.