Ankle fractures Flashcards
What is the usual mechanism of injury in ankle fracture?
An inversion injury ith a rotational force applied to the foot
Who are ankle fractures most common in?
Young and active patients
Elderly patients
What are some types of malleolus fracture?
- Isolated malleolus fracture (70%)
- Bimalleolar fracture (20%)
- Trimalleolar fracture (10%)
How are distal fibular fractures classified?
Weber’s classification
Based on location in relation to the syndesmosis between fibular and tibia
What is meant by a Weber A fracture?
Weber A - Inferior to syndesmosis
What is meant by a Weber B fracture?
Weber B - In line with syndesmosis
What is meant by a Weber C fracture?
Weber C - Superior to syndesmosis
What characteristics classify isolated malleolar fracture as stable?
- No widening of the medial clear space on x-rays
- No deltoid area pain on palpation
- No widening of tibiofibular clear space
What is shown in this X-ray?
Weber’s A fracture
What is shown in this X-ray?
Weber’s B fracture
What is shown in this X-ray?
Weber’s C fracture with medial malleolus fracture
How are Weber’s A fractures managed?
Weber A fractures, as long as there is no tibial involvement can often be managed using a moon boot with no repeat x-rays or follow ups
How are Weber’s B fractures managed?
Weber B fractures can be unstable, with further fractures to the fibular, so management depends on stability
How are Weber’s C fractures managed?
Weber C fractures are managed as unstable, and so surgery is the most common management option
How are any ankle fractures with talar shift managed?
Surgery
What is the surgical option for ankle fracture?
Surgery in ankle fractures is an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) operation
