Ankle Fractures

Chapter
First Online:
Part of the European Instructional Lectures book series (EICL, volume 12)

Abstract

Ankle fractures are the most frequent intra-articular fractures of a weight-bearing joint. Correct treatment requires knowledge of the trauma mechanism and a thorough analysis of the amount of bony and ligamentous injury. Isolated, non-displaced fractures of the medial or lateral malleolus carry a favourable long-term prognosis with non-operative, functional treatment provided that instability of the ankle mortise has been definitely ruled out. Fracture-dislocations have to be reduced urgently under sufficient analgesia to avoid severe soft-tissue complications. The most important prognostic factor after operative treatment is exact reconstruction of the articular surfaces and correct position of the distal fibula within the tibial incisura after syndesmosis instability. Besides mal-alignment, negative prognostic factors include delayed reduction, injury of several ankle components, increasing age, medical co-morbidities, and hereditary or acquired neuropathy.

Keywords

Ankle Fracture Medial Malleolus Deltoid Ligament Distal Fibula Fibular Fracture 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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© EFORT 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Klinik und Poliklinik für Unfall- und WiederherstellungschirurgieUniversitätsklinikum “Carl Gustav Carus” der TU DresdenDresdenGermany

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