Abstract: Objective   To investigate the effect of locking plate combined with cortical screw internal fixation on ankle function and quality of life in patients with ankle fracture with tibiofibular separation. Methods   A total of 120 patients with ankle fracture and distal tibiofibular separation treated in our hospital from May 2020 to December 2021 were selected and divided into control group and observation group according to random number table method,with 60 patients/group.The control group was treated with cortical screw fixation alone,and the observation group was treated with locking plate combined with cortical screw internal fixation.Before surgery and 6 months after surgery,the recovery function of the two groups was compared.X-ray,operation duration,healing time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative complications were compared,and the living ability of the two groups of patients was evaluated.  Results   Before treatment,there was no difference in joint function between the two groups (P>0.05).After treatment,the longest walking of the control group (15.89±0.85),foot alignment (15.06±0.71),pain response (29.03±4.48) and ground walking (15.65±0.59).The longest walking distance (16.19±0.87),foot alignment (15.29±0.76),pain response (31.24±4.55) and ground walking (15.96±0.68) in the observation group,which were higher than those in control group (P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the intraoperative blood loss and healing time in the observation group were lower (P<0.05).BI index of the two groups before treatment had no difference (P> 0.05);After treatment,BI index of observation group was higher than that of control group (P<0.05).There was no difference in the total complication rate between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion   Locking plate combined with cortical screw internal fixation has a good therapeutic effect on improving ankle function,reducing intraoperative blood loss,promoting healing and improving behavioral ability in the treatment of ankle fracture combined with hypotibiofibular syndesmosis injury.

Key words: ankle fracture, inferior tibiofibular separation, locking plate, cortical screw internal fixation, ankle function