The effect of deltoid ligament repair on postoperative outcomes in supination-external rotation type bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures; [Der Einfluss der Rekonstruktion des Ligamentum Deltoideum auf die Postoperativen Ergebnisse bei bimalleolären Äquivalenzfrakturen des Sprunggelenks vom Typ Supinations-Außenrotation]

Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of deltoid ligament repair on postoperative ankle functional scores in patients treated for supination-external rotation type bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 43 patients (25 males, 18 females) diagnosed with supination-external rotation type fractures and deltoid ligament rupture between 2015 and 2022. All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation of the lateral malleolus and syndesmotic fixation. The cohort was divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 17) performed additional deltoid ligament repair, while Group 2 (n = 26) did not. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society score, Olerud-Molander Ankle Score, and Visual Analog Scale with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Results: The study revealed no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society (p = 0,53), Olerud-Molander Ankle (p = 0,29), or Visual Analog Scale (p = 0,29) scores. Additionally, no significant differences were observed in terms of hospitalization time, duration of splinting, time to full weight-bearing, or total follow-up duration. Conclusion: Deltoid ligament repair does not provide a statistically significant benefit to functional recovery in bimalleolar equivalent fractures. However, deltoid ligament repair may be considered as an additional intervention for bimalleolar equivalent fractures in selected cases. 10.1016/j.fuspru.2026.08.001 © 2026