Ankle Fracture

Question 1

What is the classificaiton used for ankle fractures?

Answer 1

Weber classification

Question 2

What is the weber classificaiton used for?

Answer 2

To classify a lateral malleolar fracture related to the level of fracture, relation to the tibiofibular syndesmosis

Question 3

What is the lateral malleolar fracture related to?

Answer 3

The tibiofibular syndresmosis

Question 4

What is teh weber classification based on?

Answer 4

Clinical symptoms, examination findings and plain x-ray of the ankle.

Question 5

What is a type a weber fracture?

Answer 5

Lateral malleolar fracture below the level of the syndesmosis

Question 6

Is the syndesmosis intact in a type a weber fracture?

Answer 6

yes

Question 7

Is the deltoid ligament intact in someone with a type a fracture?

Answer 7

yes

Question 8

Is a type a weber fracture stable or unstable?

Answer 8

Stable

Question 9

How is a type a weber fracture usually managed?

Answer 9

Conservatively

Question 10

What is a type b weber fracture?

Answer 10

Lateral malleolar fracture at the level of the syndesmosis

Question 11

Is the syndesmosis intact in a type b weber fracture?

Answer 11

The syndemosis is usually intact, but there may be some widening of the distal tibiofibular joint

Question 12

Is the deltoid ligament intact in someone with a type b fracture?

Answer 12

It can be torn

Question 13

Is a type b weber fracture stable or unstable?

Answer 13

May be stable or unstable

Question 14

How is a type b weber fracture usually managed?

Answer 14

Conservatively unless there talar shift

Question 15

What is a type c weber fracture?

Answer 15

Lateral malleolar fracture above the level of the syndesmosis

Question 16

Is the syndesmosis intact in a type c weber fracture?

Answer 16

tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption

Question 17

Is the deltoid ligament intact in someone with a type c fracture?

Answer 17

deltoid ligament injury often present

Question 18

Is a type c weber fracture stable or unstable?

Answer 18

Unstable injury

Question 19

How is a type c weber fracture usually managed?

Answer 19

Requires open reduction and internal fixation

Question 20

What rules are used to decide whether an ankle x-ray needs to be done?

Answer 20

Ottawa Rules

Question 21

When is an ankle x-ray needed according to the ottowa rules?

Answer 21

Any pain in the malleolar zone:
–Bony tenderness at the lateral malleolar zone
–Bony tenderness at the medial malleolar zone
–inability to walk four weight bearing steps immediately after the injury and in the emergency department