Ankle fracture

Question 1

How are ankle fractures classified?

Answer 1

Danis-Weber classification

Question 2

Discuss the Danis-Weber classification of ankle fractures

Answer 2

Type A: Below the intact syndesmosis
A1 - isolated fibula fracture
A2 - fibula and medial malleolus fracture
A3 - fibula and posteromedial fracture
Type B: Trans-syndesmotic fracture
B1 - isolated
B2 - associated with a medial lesion
B3 - associated with a medial lesion and fracture of posterolateral tibia
Type C: Above the syndesmosis with total rupture of the syndesmosis
C1 - simple diaphyseal fracture
C2 - complex diaphyseal fracture

Question 3

Name types of ankle fractures

Answer 3

Medial malleolus fracture
Lateral malleolus fracture
Posterior malleolus fracture
Bimalleolar fracture
Trimalleolar fracture

Question 4

Discuss management of ankle fractures

Answer 4

Early 
- RICE
- backslab
- analgesia
Definitive
- ORIF
- circular POP

Question 5

Which ankle fracture is NOT treated with ORIF?

Answer 5

Undisplaced lateral malleolus fracture without

medial tenderness.

Question 6

Name complications of ankle fractures

Answer 6

Early
- compartment syndrome
- neurovascular compromise
- sepsis
- wound breakdown
Late
- malunion
- nonunion
- hardware failure
- osteoarthritis
- claw toe
- complex regional pain syndrome

Question 7

Which radiographic views should you order in suspected ankle fracture?

Answer 7

Lateral
AP
Mortise view