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Sural nerve injury may occur during the posterolateral approach to the ankle during fracture fixation. We aimed to map its location in a posterolateral approach in cadaveric specimens. A posterolateral approach was used in 28 cadaver legs with the incision made halfway between the medial border of the fibula and the lateral border of Achilles tendon, extending proximally from the tip of the lateral malleolus. The sural nerve was identified and the distance from the distal tip of the incision to where it crossed the incision proximally was measured. The mean distance was 3.4 ± 1.2 (range 0.5-7.0) cm. In 22 cases (78.5%), the distance from the lowest part of the incision to the inferior part of the nerve was between 2.7 and 4.5 cm. The nerve did not cross the incision in 2 cases. We have demonstrated that the sural nerve crossed the posterolateral incision between 2.7 and 4.5 cm proximal to the tip of the fibula in the majority of cases. However, there remains individual anatomical variation, and we would recommend that care should be taken to look for the nerve closer to the Achilles tendon proximally and nearer the fibula distally. We hope that this information can help surgeons plan their approach and minimize iatrogenic injury to the sural nerve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Talus fractures are anatomically complex injuries associated with poor outcomes and high complication rates. • This was a large series of talus fractures. Overall AVN rate was 6% and non-union rate was 2%. The postoperative infection rate was 4%. • AVN and malunion often cause chronic pain, difficulties in performing activities of daily living and decreased mobility. • Our study found talar body fractures are more common than previously reported, talar neck fractures still cause the greatest rates of AVN and post-traumatic arthritis. • This information is useful during consenting and preoperatively when planning these cases to ensure these outcomes are prevented. Talus fractures are anatomically complex, high-energy injuries that can be associated with poor outcomes and high complication rates. Complications include non-union, avascular necrosis (AVN) and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to analyse the outcomes of these injuries in a large series. We retrospectively collected data on 100 consecutive patients presenting to a single high volume major trauma centre with a talus fracture between March 2012 and March 2020. All patients were over the age of 18 with a minimum of 12 months follow up post injury. Retrospective review of case notes and imaging was conducted to collate demographic data and to classify fracture morphology. Whether patients were managed non-operatively or operatively was noted and where used, the type of operative fixation, outcomes and complications were recorded. The mean age was 35 years (range: 18–76 years). Open injuries accounted for 22% of patients. An isolated talar body fracture was the most frequent fracture (47%), followed by neck fractures (20%). The overall non-union rate was 2% with both cases occurring in patients with open fractures. The AVN rate was 6%, with the highest prevalence in talar neck fractures. Overall rates of post-traumatic OA of the tibio-talar, sub-talar and talo-navicular joints were 12%, 8%, and 6%, respectively. These were higher after a joint dislocation, and higher in neck or head fractures. The postoperative infection rate was 6%. The overall secondary surgery rate was 9%. There were 2% of patients who subsequently underwent a joint arthrodesis. Our study found that talar body fractures are more common than previously reported; however, talar neck fractures cause the highest rates of AVN and post-traumatic arthritis. Open fractures also carry a greater risk of complications. This information is useful during consenting and preoperatively when planning these cases to ensure adverse outcomes may be anticipated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Purpose: Multi-centre assessment of utilisation and outcomes of hindfoot intramedullary fixation (HFN) or fibula pro-tibial screw fixation (PTS) in complex ankle fractures. Methods: From January 2020 - June 2021, demographic data, co-morbidities, was collected on all patients undergoing HFN or PTS for an AO44 ankle fracture at three Major Trauma Centre's (MTC's) in the UK. Outcomes of interest included postoperative complications, Charlson-Co-morbidity-Index-Score (CCIS), weight-bearing status, peri-operative information, soft tissue management and post-operative complications were recorded, Radiographs were assessed for metalwork breakage and anatomical reduction (Pettrone Criteria). Results: 77 patients were identified; 59 underwent HFN and 18 had PTS fixation. The mean age differed between techniques (80+-11.4 [HFN] vs. 66+-19.8 [PTS]) (p<0.001) and 10-year survival favoured patients undergoing PTS (30+-31.6% in the [HFN] and 55+-37.6%[PTS] (p<0.004). 17 (29%) HFN patients had diabetes compared with 7 (39%) PTS patients. 36 (61%) HFN's were open fractures, 7 (39%) PTS's were open fractures, differences in outcomes between primary closure/shortening/joint preparation and combined ortho-plastic management were noted in the HFN group.Time to full weight bearing was reduced in HFN vs. PTS (2.1+-3.1 vs. 8.0+-5.0) (p<0.001), only a minority of patients were allowed to WB immediately. 12 (27%) of patients with open fractures had post-operative complications compared with 5 (15%) of closed fractures. The mean Pettrone score for HFN was 1.3+-1.6 compared with 3.7+-0.6 for PTS, subgroup analysis showed Pettrone scores for open fractures treated with a HFN worsened(0.9 vs 2.3) (p=0.007). Conclusion: Comparing functional and outcome rates between the 2 techniques, PTS provides stable fixation, and a lower overall complication rates, with better radiological outcomes and expected survival. However, HFN is performed in frailer patients, with co-morbidities where early weight-bearing may be beneficial, accepting limited functionality and higher complication rate. Even though both techniques are designed for early mobility in the appropriate person this is not always realised, thus further studies are required to characterise which patients benefit most from each surgical technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]