Inclusion/exclusion criteria
posterior malleolar fractures, deltoid ligament rupture, lateral malleolar fracture, lateral malleolar fractures, fractures
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE, END-STAGE RENAL FAILURE
Patients who required open reduction and plate fixation for isolated lateral malleolar fractures were included. Among the patients with rotational ankle fractures, those with associated posterior malleolar fractures or a partial deltoid ligament rupture but only required open reduction and plate fixation for the lateral malleolar fracture were also included. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) < 18 or > 65 years of age; (2) previous surgeries at the ankle joint; (3) significant medical comorbidities potentially affecting wound healing (e.g., end-stage renal failure, peripheral vascular disease)