Objective  To observe the effect of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis screw fixation on postoperative recovery of joint function in patients with acute ankle fracture complicated with deltoid ligament injury.

  Methods  A total of 138 patients with acute ankle fracture complicated with deltoid ligament injury were randomly divided into control group (n=66) and observation group (n=72). The control group was treated with deltoid ligament repair, while the observation group was treated with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis screw fixation. The operation time, postoperative fracture healing time, postoperative complications, ankle function at the last follow-up and imaging measurement indexes were compared between the two groups.

  Results  There were no significant differences in gender, age, injury to visit time and type of injury between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in operation time and postoperative fracture healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). At the last follow-up, there were no significant differences in ankle function score and imaging measurement indexes between the two groups (P>0.05). No infection occurred in all the patients after operation, and no adverse reactions occurred in the control group. In the observation group, one patient underwent secondary operation due to poor position, and one patient suffered from screw fracture.

  Conclusion  For patients with acute ankle fracture complicated with deltoid ligament injury, tibiofibular syndesmosis screw internal fixation can obtain the same effect as deltoid ligament repair, but the rate of poor reduction is relatively higher, and there is a risk of postoperative nail breakage. Deltoid ligament repair surgery needs more attention in details.