Technical complications of the tibiofibular syndesmotic screw
Mosheiff, R.; Liebergall, M.; Margulies, J.Y.; Peyser, A.; London, E.; Segal, D.
Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery Official Publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons 32(5): 462-466
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 1067-2516 PMID: 8252003 Document Number: 421098
Three patients with ankle fractures are presented to demonstrate poor results due to improper application of a syndesmotic screw. In these cases failure of surgical treatment caused accelerated disruption of the ankle mortise with cartilage wear, or instability and joint distraction. Simple internal fixation with a single screw requires strict awareness of the potential harm that can be inflicted on the joint. The syndesmotic screw has to be inserted with a proper understanding of the biomechanics of ankle joint structures.