LENGTHENING OSTEOTOMY OF THE FIBULA FOR POSTTRAUMATIC MALUNION - INDICATIONS, TECHNIQUE AND RESULTS

Relative shortening of the fibula may occur after any type of ankle fr acture when the lateral malleolus is involved. Patients compain of pai n and restriction of their daily and sporting activities. Clinically, there is valgus of the hindfoot due to abduction and lateral rotation of the talus. The goal of treatment is to restore the initial length o f the fibula by a horizontal or Z-osteotomy, which will also correct t he malposition of the tabus. This study shows that the operative recon struction of a widened mortise is a relatively safe procedure, indepen dent of the type of osteotomy used. Lengthening of the fibula is an im portant step in the treatment of the painful ankle when the fibula is short after trauma, even when degenerative changes of the joint are al ready present.