Weber classification of ankle fractures
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The Weber ankle fracture classification (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, specifically the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. It has a role in determining treatment.
Classification
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type A
- below the level of the syndesmosis (infrasyndesmotic)
- usually transverse
- tibiofibular syndesmosis intact
- deltoid ligament intact
- medial malleolus occasionally fractured
- usually stable if medial malleolus intact
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type B
- distal extent at the level of the syndesmosis (trans-syndesmotic); 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 syndesmosis (suprasyndesmotic)
- 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
- a fracture above the syndesmosis results from external rotation or abduction forces that also disrupt the joint
- usually associated with an injury to the medial side
History and etymology
This classification was first described by the Belgian general surgeon, Robert Danis (1880-1962), in 1949. It was later modified and popularised by the Swiss orthopaedic surgeon, Bernhard Georg Weber (1929-2002), in 1972 2.
See also
-<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>, specifically the distal tibiofibular <a title="Distal tibiofibular syndesmosis" href="/articles/distal-tibiofibular-syndesmosis">syndesmosis</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>, specifically the distal tibiofibular <a href="/articles/distal-tibiofibular-syndesmosis">syndesmosis</a>. It has a role in determining treatment. </p><h4>Classification</h4><ul>
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Case 17: Weber A
Image 10 X-ray (Frontal) ( create )
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