THE ATYPICAL TYPE-C ANKLE FRACTURE

Fractures of the ankle in adults are very common. Like every inrtraart icular fracture, they require perfect reduction and stable fixation to guarantee a good result. In most cases this can only be achieved by o pen treatment. The classification of ankle fractures according to Webe r [1] depends upon whether the fibular fracture is below (type A) at ( type B) or above (type C) the syndesmosis. This classification also de fines the importance of the tibio-fibular ligaments. From 1978 to 1992 more than 1000 ankle fractures were treated in our clinic by open red uction and fixation: 72 were type C ankle fractures, and the rest, eit her type A or type B fractures. When we reviewed our type C fractures we found 9 patients with so-called atypical type C fractures; these ha ve an atypical fracture pattern insofar as a fracture of the medial ma lleolus is combined with tibiofibular ligament lesion and there is no fibula fracture. Definition, diagnosis, treatment and results are pres ented in this publication.