Fibula, oblique fracture: antiglide plate

The one-third tubular plate, which is placed posterolaterally on the fibula in an anti-glide position, indirectly reduces the fracture and acts as a buttress to resist the posterior and proximal displacement of the distal fragment.

Additionally, when the fracture configuration allows, the fracture can be compressed with a lag screw, inserted through the plate.

AO teaching video: Type B Malleolar Fracture 44-B (2004)

AO teaching video: Malleolar-Fracture Type B (1988)

Remove any minor bone fragments which are blocking reduction. Do not strip the periosteum more than necessary.

Reduce the fracture by applying light longitudinal traction and rotating the foot internally.

Optionally, small pointed reduction forceps can be used.

Prepare a four-hole one-third tubular plate. To improve the anti-glide buttressing effect, the plate is slightly bent at its distal end.

The central section of the plate is left straight so that when the central screw is tightened, it will pull the plate against the bone. This applies posterior compression on the distal fragment, which augments compression across the fracture plane.

Accurate positioning of the plate is essential in obtaining the buttress effect and allowing the insertion of a lag screw. The proximal hole closest to the fracture site should be located 3-5 mm proximal to the fracture line.

Reduce the main fragments and hold with a pointed reduction forceps.

Either make sure the position of the forceps allows the plate to lie in the correct position, or alternatively, place the forceps through the hole in the plate before tightening the forceps.

In the proximal fibular fragment, drill a 2.5 mm hole through both cortices, from posterior to anterior, 3-5 mm proximal to the apex of the fracture.

Carefully position the plate so that two holes overlie each fragment, and hold it in place with a finger.

Measure the length of the drilled hole through the plate.

Tap with the 3.5 mm cortical tap and insert the first 3.5 mm cortex screw.

Check reduction visually and under image intensification.

Insert the second screw through the most proximal plate hole, drilling, measuring and tapping through the plate hole.

Drill a gliding hole in the near cortex, through the plate hole closest and just distal to the fracture, using a 3.5 mm drill bit. The hole should be drilled as perpendicularly to the fracture line as possible.

Insert a 2.5 mm drill sleeve inside the gliding hole and drill the threaded hole in the far cortex with a 2.5 mm drill bit.

Measure the depth of the hole with the hook of the depth gauge pointing proximally.

Tap the far cortex with the 3.5 mm cortical tap.

Insert a 3.5 mm cortical screw, functioning as a lag screw, and tighten carefully.

If the bone is osteoporotic, or if the fragment is large, a second cortical lag screw may be inserted through the remaining distal plate hole.

Final x-rays should be taken now.

Note

In less oblique fractures, or comminution of the anterior cortex (Le Fort lesion), it may not be possible to insert a lag screw, but the distal fragment may still be held with cortex screws through the plate.

Anatomically reduce the fragment with a small dental hook and preliminarily fix it with a 1.0 mm K-wire.

Drill a hole with a 2.5 mm drill bit and protection sleeve as perpendicular as possible to the fracture line without drilling the far cortex.

Measure the depth. Tap the fragment with the 4.0 mm tap and protection sleeve. Insert the 4.0 mm cancellous screw with a washer.

Note

If the fragment is too small for 4.0 mm screw fixation, use a 2.7 mm or a 2.0 mm cortex screw, or suture the fragment to the periosteum of the anterior tibia.

Usually, the fragment is very small. In this case suture it to the fibular periosteum. If the fragment is large enough, small lag screw fixation can be used.