[Treatment of syndesmosis diastasis with shape memory staple fixation in ankle fractures].

Objective: To explore operative method in the treatment of syndesmosis injury of ankle fractures.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with ankle fractures and syndesmosis diastasis were treated with shape memory fracture staples, including 10 males and 14 females ranging in age from 19 to 71 years, with an average of 43 years. All patients were diagnosised with history, body examination and image data and were operated according to classification of Lauge-Hansen.

Results: All patients were followed up from 6 to 28 months with an average of 16 months, and all fractures healed, with a mean time 9.2 (8 to 14) weeks. Only one case had radiological and clinical manifestations of traumatic arthritis, but no breakage of shape memory fracture staple in all cases. Sixteen patients got excellent results, good in 5, fair in 2, poor in 1.

Conclusion: Shape memory staple fixation for the treatment of syndesmosis diastasis in ankle fractures not only can perseve the physical motion of ankles, but also be remove earlier before weight bearing.