ArticleDer Orthopade2021
Can a fibular malunion be corrected by a Z-shaped fibular osteotomy?
Article in Der Orthopade, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed, 2 citations in OpenAlex.
- Allograft Deltoid Ligament Reconstruction and Z-Lengthening Fibular Osteotomy for Residual Valgus Instability After Ankle Fracture Fixation: A Case Report.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients who underwent realigning Z‑shaped fibular osteotomy.
methodsBetween January 2007 and December 2014, 28 patients with a painful fibular malunion underwent a Z-shaped realignment fibular osteotomy. The mean age was 42.2 ± 14.1 years (range 19.1-67.8 years) and the mean follow-up was 7.0 ± 1.7 years (range 4.0-9.7 years), with no loss to follow-up. Weight-bearing radiographs were used to determine the distal fibula alignment based on Weber's criteria. Degenerative changes of the tibiotalar joint were assessed using the Kellgren-Lawrence scale. Clinical assessment included pain evaluation, measurement of ankle range of motion (ROM), sports activities, and quality of life outcomes.
resultsThere were no intraoperative or perioperative complications. No delayed unions or nonunions were observed. One patient had radiographic progression of degenerative changes in the tibiotalar joint. Postoperative complications included removal of hardware (n = 15) and arthroscopic tibiotalar joint debridement (n = 2). At the last follow-up the mean visual analog scale (VAS) decreased from 6.5 ± 1.1 to 2.1 ± 1.1 (p < 0.001),the ROM improved from 39º ± 6º to 45º ± 4.5º (p < 0.001), the short form health survey questionnaire (SF-36) physical and mental outcome scores improved from 49 ± 8 to 84 ± 7 (p < 0.001) and from 61 ± 4 to 83 ± 5 (p < 0.001), respectively.
conclusionThe Z‑shaped realignment osteotomy of the distal fibula can provide pain relief and functional improvement in the treatment of fibular malunion. Further studies are needed to address long-term outcomes in this patient cohort.
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