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  • Title: Establishing an optimal trajectory for calcaneotibial K-wire fixation in emergent treatment of unstable ankle fractures.
    Author: Schröder M, Stüber V, Walendzik E, O'Loughlin PF, Zapf A, Krettek C, Gaulke R.
    Journal: Technol Health Care; 2015; 23(2):215-21. PubMed ID: 25503697.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: In unstable ankle fractures the associated soft tissue damage can be a therapeutic challenge. The aim of this study was to optimize planning of minimally invasive stabilization of ankle fractures by calcaneotibial transfixation, which is a demanding technique due to the complex hind foot anatomy. METHODS: In a retrospective radiographic analysis the angles and dimensions of a safe drill tunnel for calcaneotibial K-wire insertion were defined on standard radiographs of the ankle joint. 165 lateral weight-bearing radiographs (77 right; 88 left) and 147 (80 right; 67 left) mortise views of 186 (90 right; 96 left) uninjured feet from 123 patients (74 women (114 feet); 49 men (72 feet)) were included in this study. The average patient age was 49 (range, 13-85) years. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was evaluated on 20 randomized radiographs that were analyzed in a default set, three times, by two different examiners on three different days. RESULTS: In the lateral view the drilling tunnel was orientated at 59.4° to the plantar plane with a maximum proximal variance of 7.1 image-mm. Distal variance cannot be tolerated since an ankle joint injury would ensue. In the mortise view the drill tunnel was directed with a mean angle of 18.4° to the distal tibial articular surface. At most a mean of 11° fibular- and 13.4° tibial- expansion can be tolerated. Intra- and inter-observer reliability was higher for the angles than for the drill corridors. CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional (3D) orientation for safe K-wire placement for calcaneotibial transfixation should adhere to the drill tunnels established in this study.
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