Ankle fractures

Introduction

Fractures of the malleoli are common. Court-Brown et al calculated an incidence of 125/100000/year. They occur equally in both sexes, but are commoner in young men and old women. They are increasingly becoming an elderly person’s osteoporotic fracture.

Most ankle fractures are low-energy twisting injuries sustained in falls, and only 1-2% are open injuries.

Anatomy and biomechanics of the ankle related to fractures NEW Syndesmosis injuries NEW
Pathomechanics and fracture classification Posterior malleolar fractures
Clinical features NEW Medial malleolar fractures NEW
Imaging Post-operative management
Management - introduction NEW Ankle fractures in the elderly
Undisplaced fractures NEW Ankle fractures in diabetics
Displaced fractures NEW References
What's the most important structure in the fractured ankle?

How stable are undisplaced ankle fractures?
Cast for 6 weeks, or...

Isolated medial malleolar fractures - do they need fixing?
(JBJS 2007!)
Displaced ankle fracture - fix them all?