Table 1 External rotation stiffness values, syndesmotic diastasis values, and failure properties for the fibular nail group and locked plate group

 Across fracture

1.2 ± 0.3

2.0 ± 1.5

5.8 ± 2.0

0.02*

 Across syndesmosis

1.5 ± 0.5

1.0 ± 0.4

2.8 ± 1.7

0.048*

 Across fracture

1.7 ± 0.2

3.1 ± 2.0

4.5 ± 1.4

0.23

 Across syndesmosis

2.0 ± 0.3

1.5 ± 0.6

2.7 ± 0.8

0.03*

Syndesmotic diastasis (mm)

Pre-cyclic loading

1.4 ± 0.3

1.4 ± 0.5

0.7 ± 0.2

0.08^a

Post-cyclic loading

1.7 ± 0.4

2.4 ± 1.9

1.4 ± 0.5

0.08^a

External rotation to failure

2.3 ± 0.8

7.6 ± 8.8

5.6 ± 3.0

0.465

Failure properties

Torque to failure (Nm)

29.6 ± 4.8

28.1 ± 6.2

0.46

Angle to failure (degree)

91.6 ± 15.8

93.5 ± 18.2

0.73

Mode to failure (# of specimens)

Screw loosening

4

7

Soft tissue damage

1

1

Fibular fracture

3

1