Trimalleolar Fractures Treated by Open Reduction Internal Fixation Compared With Arthroscopically Assisted Reduction and Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background: Currently, the standard of treatment for trimalleolar (TM) fracture is osteosynthesis through open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). This study assessed whether arthroscopically assisted reduction and minimally invasive surgery (AARMIS) can be an alternative surgical method for TM fractures. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 49 patients with TM that were surgically treated. 27 patients received ORIF and 22 patients underwent AARMIS . At baseline, we recorded the patient’s demographic features, fracture pattern (AO-OTA and Haraguchi classification), and surgical method. For postoperative results, we examined the patient’s radiographic outcome, including time to union, quality of fracture reduction, as well as functional outcomes (American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle hindfoot score, ankle range of motion, and visual analog scale of pain) and perioperative complications. Results: At mean follow-up of 46.6 ± 24 . 6 (ORIF) and 36.4 ± 18 . 5 months (AARMIS), both groups had comparable radiographic outcomes. No significant difference in rates of early ankle OA were detected. In terms of functional outcome, VAS pain and AOFAS score at postoperative day 3, postoperative month 3, and at final follow-up were not different. In terms of range of motion, we did not find a significant difference in mean range of motion. Conclusion: Patients with TM fractures treated with AARMIS achieved satisfactory results and was not significantly different in radiographic and functional performance compared with ORIF. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.