Clinical Report: Evaluation of Clinical Outcomes Following Modified Lateral Malleolar Osteotomy

Overview

This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of a modified lateral malleolar osteotomy for treating talar body and tibial pilon fractures.

Background

Talar body fractures, although rare, pose significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment, often leading to complications such as post-traumatic arthritis. The modified lateral malleolar osteotomy approach aims to enhance exposure for surgical intervention, which is critical for achieving optimal outcomes in complex ankle injuries.

Data Highlights

Key Findings

• Five patients underwent the modified lateral malleolar osteotomy for talar body and tibial pilon fractures.
• All patients achieved union at the osteotomy site by three months postoperatively.
• The mean AOFAS score at final follow-up was 77.8 ± 10.0 points.
• Posttraumatic arthritis developed in one patient, who tolerated the associated pain.
• The ankle range of motion on the affected side remained lower than that of the healthy side at final follow-up.

Clinical Implications

The modified lateral malleolar osteotomy provides excellent exposure for the treatment of complex ankle fractures, facilitating reliable fixation. Clinicians should consider this approach for similar cases to optimize surgical outcomes.

Conclusion

The modified lateral malleolar osteotomy is a technically straightforward method for talar body and tibial pilon fractures.

Related Resources & Content

1. A retrospective study on clinical and radiographic results of distal tibial fractures treated with intramedullary nailing via the lateral parapatellar extra-articular technique, Springer, 2024 -- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00402-024-05344-z
2. Comparative clinical outcomes of suprapatellar intramedullary nailing vs. minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis fixation for distal tibial fractures: a retrospective cohort study, Frontiers in Surgery -- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/surgery/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2026.1869900/full
3. Long-term Prognosis Following Trimalleolar Fractures with Involvement of the Posterior Malleolar Fragment: An 11-Year Evaluation, Springer, 2025 -- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00402-025-05959-w
4. Lateral malleolar osteotomy, AO Surgery Reference -- https://surgeryreference.aofoundation.org/orthopedic-trauma/adult-trauma/talus/approach/lateral-malleolar-osteotomy
5. A retrospective study on clinical and radiographic results of distal tibial fractures treated with intramedullary nailing via the lateral parapatellar extra-articular technique
6. Frontiers in Surgery — Comparative clinical outcomes of suprapatellar intramedullary nailing vs. minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis fixation for distal tibial fractures: a retrospective cohort study
7. Long-term Prognosis Following Trimalleolar Fractures with Involvement of the Posterior Malleolar Fragment: An 11-Year Evaluation
8. Innovative Posterior-to-Anterior Malleolar Extended Lateral Approach for Ankle Surgery: Initial Outcomes
9. Comparison of two-stage open reduction and internal fixation and single-stage external fixation for complex pilon fractures: a randomized controlled trial, International Orthopaedics -- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00264-025-06682-2?utm_source=openai
10. Lateral malleolar osteotomy
11. Comparison of two-stage open reduction and internal fixation and single-stage external fixation for complex pilon fractures: a randomized controlled trial | International Orthopaedics | Springer Nature Link
12. Frontiers | Comparison of the exposure of the distal tibial articular surface for posterior pilon fractures via a medial or lateral malleolar osteotomy: a preliminary cadaveric study
13. What is a tibial pilon fracture and how should they be acutely managed? A survey of consultant British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society members and non-members - PMC