Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Common symptoms of a malleolar fracture are deformity around the ankle, swelling, hematoma, bony tenderness, instability and pain on attempting to walk. The present study compared different treatment modalities for the management in lower fibula with medial malleolus fracture. Materials & Methods: 48 patients of lower fibula with medial malleolus fracture of both genders were divided into 2 groups of 24 each. Group I comprised of patients managed with plating and group II patients were managed with nailing. Deformity and complications were compared between both groups. Results: Deformity such as malalignment was seen in 1 and 5 patients in group I and II respectively, valgus deformity in 3 and 6 in group I and II respectively and varus deformity in 2 in group I and 7 in group II patients. Common complications were screw breakage in 2 in group II, wound infection seen 1 in group I and 3 in group II, wound dehiscence 2 in group I and 1 in group II, ankle stiffness 1 in group I and 2 in group II, non- union 3 in group I and 4 in group II and delayed union 2 in group I and 5 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Plating found to be better in terms of less post- operative complications than nail. Key words: Medial malleolus fracture, Nailing, Plating.