Ankle fractures
Updates to Article Attributes
Ankle fractures account for ~10% of fractures encountered in trauma, preceded only in incidence by proximal femoral fractures in the lower limb. They have a bimodal presentation, involving young males and older females. Ankle injuries play a major part in post multitrauma functional impairment thereby necessitating a detailed evaluation.
Classification
The first classification system was proposed by Percival Pott 3, describing fractures in terms of malleoli involved: unimalleolar, bimalleolar and trimalleolar. Despite its ease to identify fractures and decreased inter/intra observer variability, it has been superseded by two systems of classification which takes into consideration the rotational mechanism of injury and the stability of the fracture,; each has its own advantages and disadvantages:
Radiographic features
An approach to reading ankle radiograph can be read here.
Treatment and prognosis
Results following the anatomic reduction of a displaced ankle fracture are good. Post traumatic-traumatic arthritis has been reported in ~15% of patients despite an anatomic reduction, likely due to chondral injury 6.
-<p><strong>Ankle fractures</strong> account for ~10% of fractures encountered in trauma, preceded only in incidence by proximal femoral fractures in the lower limb. They have a bimodal presentation, involving young males and older females. Ankle injuries play a major part in post multitrauma functional impairment thereby necessitating a detailed evaluation. </p><h4>Classification</h4><p>The first classification system was proposed by <strong>Percival Pott </strong><sup>3</sup>, describing fractures in terms of malleoli involved: unimalleolar, bimalleolar and trimalleolar. Despite its ease to identify fractures and decreased inter/intra observer variability, it has been superseded by two systems of classification which takes into consideration the rotational mechanism of injury and the stability of the fracture, each has its own advantages and disadvantages:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Ankle fractures</strong> account for ~10% of fractures encountered in trauma, preceded only in incidence by proximal femoral fractures in the lower limb. They have a bimodal presentation, involving young males and older females. Ankle injuries play a major part in post multitrauma functional impairment thereby necessitating a detailed evaluation. </p><h4>Classification</h4><p>The first classification system was proposed by <strong>Percival Pott </strong><sup>3</sup>, describing fractures in terms of malleoli involved: unimalleolar, bimalleolar and trimalleolar. Despite its ease to identify fractures and decreased inter/intra observer variability, it has been superseded by two systems of classification which takes into consideration the rotational mechanism of injury and the stability of the fracture; each has its own advantages and disadvantages:</p><ul>
-</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>An <a href="/articles/ankle-radiograph-an-approach">approach to reading ankle radiograph</a> can be read here.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Results following anatomic reduction of a displaced ankle fracture are good. Post traumatic arthritis has been reported in ~15% of patients despite an anatomic reduction, likely due to chondral injury <sup>6</sup>. </p>- +</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>An <a href="/articles/ankle-radiograph-an-approach">approach to reading ankle radiograph</a> can be read here.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Results following the anatomic reduction of a displaced ankle fracture are good. Post-traumatic arthritis has been reported in ~15% of patients despite an anatomic reduction, likely due to chondral injury <sup>6</sup>. </p>