Surgical Technique: Achieving Anatomic Alignment With Temporizing, Ankle-Spanning External Fixation.

Introduction: Severe injuries to the ankle frequently result in soft tissue trauma too severe to proceed with immediate definitive fixation. Additionally, patients with multiple or vascular injuries may need a temporizing measure before undergoing definitive treatment. Temporizing, ankle-spanning external fixation offers a management strategy that allows for soft tissue rest and prioritized treatment of patients with polytrauma. Methods: The video demonstrates 2 clinical cases managed with temporizing, ankle-spanning external fixation: a pilon fracture and a bimalleolar ankle fracture-dislocation. Results: The indications, advantages, and a systematic operative approach to applying ankle-spanning external fixation are presented. Specific attention is paid to restoring an anatomic alignment of the ankle. Conclusions: Temporizing, ankle-spanning external fixation is an important modality in the management of fractures about the ankle, especially in patients with dislocation and/or severe soft tissue injury. A systematic approach that initially addresses length, followed by sagittal and coronal plane correction, can be used to restore anatomic alignment of the ankle.