Internal compression screw exchange for reduction of distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries

Traumatic injuries to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis often accompany ankle fractures. Repair of the syndesmosis is critical for the normal function of the ankle joint. Conventional reduction of the diastasis is achieved with the use of a periarticular reduction clamp. The authors describe an alternative method for reduction of the syndesmosis using a screw exchange technique. This proposed procedure has the prospective of avoiding the multiple potential drawbacks to the use of a reduction clamp.