Open Reduction Syndesmosis Tightrope Versus Screw Fixation

A Prospective Randomized Multi Center Study to Compare Open Reduction, TightRope Fixation (OT) Versus Open Reduction Screw Fixation (OS) of the Tibia - Fibular Syndesmosis.

Tibia-fibular syndesmosis injury occurs in a significant proportion of ankle injuries and is assumed to disrupt the syndesmotic ligaments.

The goal of operative treatment is to reduce the ankle mortise to restore normal joint kinematics. Syndesmosis repair can be performed using either open or closed reduction, combined with fixation between the distal tibia and fibula. Closed fixation has demonstrated high rates of non anatomic reductions greater than 40%; therefore, open reduction will be performed in this study. Screw fixation is stable but concerns exist regarding potential excess rigidity.

Recently, flexible fixation techniques combined with anatomic reduction have demonstrated improvements in functional outcomes and reduction quality. Both open reduction and flexible TightRope fixation have considerable support in the literature in cohort studies but have not been compared to open screw fixation in a randomized controlled trial.

In this multi centre randomized study, radiographic, economic and functional outcomes are compared between [open reduction, flexible Tightrope syndesmosis fixation (OT)] and [open reduction screw fixation (OS)] of the syndesmosis.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Ankle Fractures
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: Open reduction Tightrope fixation; Device: open reduction screw fixation

Detailed Description

Tibia-fibular syndesmosis injury occurs in a significant proportion of ankle injuries and is assumed to disrupt the syndesmotic ligaments. The goal of operative treatment is to reduce the ankle mortise to restore normal joint kinematics. Syndesmosis repair can be performed using either open or closed reduction, combined with fixation between the distal tibia and fibula. Closed fixation has demonstrated high rates of non anatomic reductions greater than 40%; therefore, open reduction will be performed in this study. Screw fixation is stable but concerns exist regarding potential excess rigidity.

Recently, flexible fixation techniques combined with anatomic reduction have demonstrated improvements in functional outcomes and reduction quality. Both open reduction and flexible TightRope fixation have considerable support in the literature in cohort studies but have not been compared to open screw fixation in a randomized controlled trial.

This study is a multi centre randomized controlled trial comparing clinical, economic and functional outcomes between open reduction, flexible Tightrope syndesmosis fixation (OT) to open reduction rigid screw fixation (OS) for syndesmotic injuries in high ankle fractures, involving the fibula 1 cm above the level of the syndesmosis (Weber C (OTA 44.C1, 44.C2, 44C3)).

We anticipate recruiting 72 patients (36 in each arm) from up to 20 clinical sites across North America. Post operative follow up will occur at 2 and 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months. At each follow up, radiographic and functional outcomes will be assessed as well as documentation of costs associated with treatment and rehabilitation.

The research questions that this study will answer include the following:

1. Does open reduction and repair with TightRope syndesmosis fixation (OT) provide better reduction compared to open reduction and syndesmosis screw fixation (OS)?
2. Which surgical technique provides better functional outcomes?
3. Are complications and costs associated with repair comparable between surgical techniques?

The null hypothesis is that there will be no difference between the treatment groups in terms of reduction and functional testing.

The scientific aims of this study are to compare:

1. anatomic (open) reduction between the two groups using CT scan and plain radiographs.
2. post-operative pain and functional performance in each group.
3. rates of complications and costs for each method of fixation.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 103
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • London, Ontario, Canada, N6A4G5
      • London Health Sciences Centre

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female 18yrs with a diagnosis of a closed Weber C ankle (OTA 44.C1, 44.C2, 44.C3) fracture.
2. Randomization and treatment of syndesmosis injury within 14 days of the date of injury.
3. Demonstrates lateral subluxation of talus on x-ray or stress views. Talar shift > 1mm or medial clear space widening ≥ 5mm (unstable)
4. No history of previous severe ankle injury, pathologic fracture, ligamentous laxity, no prior diagnosis or current treatment of osteoporosis or metabolic bone disease.
5. No concurrent injury that is deemed by the treating surgeon to delay or alter the rehabilitation protocol for the ankle injury.
6. No neuromuscular or sensory deficiency.
7. Able to understand and complete assessments
8. Provision of Informed Consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. Age < 18 years
2. Open fracture or pathological fracture.
3. Talar shift < 1mm or medial clear space widening < 5mm (stable)
4. Prior diagnosis or current treatment for osteoporosis or metabolic bone disease.
5. Concurrent injury that is deemed by the treating surgeon to delay or alter the rehabilitation protocol for the ankle injury.
6. Prior diagnosis or treatment for neuromuscular disease or sensory deficiency (i.e. diabetic neuropathy).
7. Likely problems, in the judgment of the investigator, with maintaining follow-up (i.e. patients with no fixed address, patients incapable of providing informed consent, prisoners etc.).
8. Patients who are currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant during the study duration.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Open Reduction Tightrope fixation (OT); Device: Following fixation of Weber C fibular fracture according to AO standards, the syndesmosis will be stabilized by open reduction followed by use of a single Tightrope (Arthrex-Knotless) device. Open Reduction Tightrope fixation (OT)	Device: Open reduction Tightrope fixation; Device: Following fixation of Weber C fibular fracture according to AO standards, the syndesmosis will be stabilized by open reduction followed by use of a single Tightrope (Arthrex-Knotless) device. Open Reduction Tightrope fixation (OT); Other Names: Athrex tightrope
Active Comparator: Open Reduction screw fixation (OS); Device: Following fixation of Weber C fibular fracture according to AO standards, the syndesmosis will be stabilized by open reduction followed by use of two or more syndesmosis screws. Open Reduction screw fixation (OS)	Device: open reduction screw fixation; Device: Following fixation of Weber C fibular fracture according to AO standards, the syndesmosis will be stabilized by open reduction followed by use of two or more syndesmosis screws. Open Reduction screw fixation (OS); Other Names: syndesmosis screw fixation

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
anatomic reduction between the two groups using CT scan and plain radiographs.	anatomic reduction between the two groups using CT scan and plain radiographs	3 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
post-operative pain	evaluated by means of patient completed visual analogue scale and questionnaires	6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 months
functional performance	patients will complete validated self administered functional outcome, pain and quality of life questionnaires at the time of study enrolment and at 6 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months following enrolment. Questionnaires will include a generic health status measurement instrument (EQ-5D) and a disease specific outcome measure (Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI)). The EQ5D is widely used to describe the extent to which patients are having a problem in each of 5 dimensions of health (mobility, ability to self care, usual activities, pain, and anxiety/depression). The FADI is designed to assess functional limitations related to foot and ankle conditions. It captures activities of daily living and more difficult tasks essential to sport activity (FADI Sport). In addition, the AAOS Hindfoot Score will be completed by the surgeon. This score assesses pain, function, alignment, stability and motion. Patients will be asked if they have returned to work with modified duties etc.	6 weeks, 3,6 12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Lawson Health Research Institute
• Collaborators: Orthopaedic Trauma Association
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: David Sanders, MD, Lawson Health Research Institute

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Wong MT, Wiens C, LaMothe J, Edwards WB, Schneider PS. In Vivo Syndesmotic Motion After Rigid and Flexible Fixation Using 4-Dimensional Computerized Tomography. J Orthop Trauma. 2022 May 1;36(5):257-264. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000002267.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): April 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2017
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 16, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 21, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): July 24, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 8, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 7, 2018
• Last Verified: February 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: open anatomic reduction; syndesmosis screw fixation, syndesmosis Tightrope fixation
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Fractures, Bone; Wounds and Injuries; Ankle Fractures
• Other Study ID Numbers: 105500