Weber classification of ankle fractures
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The Weber ankle fracture classification (sometimes(or Danis-Weber classification) is a simple system for classification of lateral malleolar fractures, relating to the level of the fracture in relation to the ankle joint. It has a role in determining treatment.
Classification
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type A
- below the level of the talar dome
- usually transverse
- tibiofibular syndesmosis intact
- deltoid ligament intact
- medial malleolus often fractured
- usually stable if medial malleolus intact
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type B
- distal extent at the level of the talar dome; may extend some distance proximally
- usually spiral
- tibiofibular syndesmosis usually intact, but widening of the distal tibiofibular joint (especially on stressed views) indicates syndesmotic injury
- medial malleolus may be fractured
- deltoid ligament may be torn, indicated by widening of the space between the medial malleolus and talar dome
- variable stability, dependent on the status of medial structures (malleolus/deltoid ligament) and syndesmosis; may require ORIF
- Weber B fractures could be further subclassified as 9
- B1: isolated
- B2: associated with a medial lesion (malleolus or ligament)
- B3: associated with a medial lesion and fracture of posterolateral tibia
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type C
- above the level of the ankle joint
- tibiofibular syndesmosis disruption with widening of the distal tibiofibular articulation
- medial malleolus fracture or deltoid ligament injury often present
- fracture may arise as proximally as the level of fibular neck and not visualised on ankle films, requiring knee or full-length tibia-fibula radiographs (Maisonneuve fracture)
- unstable: usually requires ORIF
- Weber C fractures can be further subclassified as 6
- C1: diaphyseal fracture of the fibula, simple
- C2: diaphyseal fracture of the fibula, complex
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C3: proximal fracture of the fibula
- fracture above the syndesmotic result from external rotation or abduction forces that also disrupt the syndesmosis
- usually associated with an injury to the medial side
History and etymology
This classification was first described by Danis in 1949 and later modified and popularised by Weber in 1972 2:
- Robert Danis (1880-1962), general, thoracic, and vascular surgeon, Brussels. Pioneer of internal fixation techniques
- Bernhard Georg Weber (1929-2002), orthopaedic surgeon, St Gall, Switzerland 1,4
See also
-<p>The <strong>Weber ankle fracture classification</strong> (sometimes <strong>Danis-Weber</strong>) is a simple system for classification of <a href="/articles/lateral-malleolus">lateral malleolar</a> fractures, relating to the level of the fracture in relation to the <a href="/articles/ankle-joint-2">ankle joint</a>. It has a role in determining treatment. </p><h4>Classification</h4><ul>- +<p>The <strong>Weber ankle fracture classification</strong> (or <strong>Danis-Weber classification</strong>) is a simple system for classification of <a href="/articles/lateral-malleolus">lateral malleolar</a> fractures, relating to the level of the fracture in relation to the <a href="/articles/ankle-joint-2">ankle joint</a>. It has a role in determining treatment. </p><h4>Classification</h4><ul>
-</ul><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a title="Lauge-Hansen classification of ankle injury" href="/articles/lauge-hansen-classification-of-ankle-injury">Lauge-Hansen classification</a></li></ul>- +</ul><h4>See also</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/lauge-hansen-classification-of-ankle-injury">Lauge-Hansen classification</a></li></ul>
Systems changed:
- Trauma
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