Operative Fixation of Lateral Malleolus Fractures With Locking Plates vs Nonlocking Plates: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: The exact benefit of locking plates over nonlocking plates in patients with lateral malleolus fractures remains unclear. The primary aim of this study was to compare the functional outcome of locking plates vs nonlocking plates in patients with a lateral malleolus fracture. The secondary aims were to compare the number of complications and hardware removals and to compare whether results differed for older patients and for patients treated with anatomical locking plates.