Injury to the posterior malleolus in Maisonneuve fractures

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study was to describe the incidence and a complex pathoanatomy of posterior malleolus fractures in a Maisonneuve fracture. Methods The study included 100 prospectively collected patients with a complete clinical and radiological documentation of an ankle fracture or fracture-dislocation including a fracture of the proximal quarter of the fibula. Results A posterior malleolus fracture was identified in 74 patients, and in 27% of these cases it carried more than one quarter of the fibular notch. Displacement of the posterior fragment by more than 2 mm was shown by scans in 72% of cases. Small intercalary fragments were identified in 43% of cases. Fractures of the Tillaux–Chaput tubercle were identified in 20 patients. Conclusion Our study has proved a high rate of posterior malleolus fractures associated with a Maisonneuve fracture, and documented their considerable variability in terms of involvement of the fibular notch, tibiotalar contact area, direction of displacement and frequency of intercalary fragments. Of no less importance is a combination of Tillaux–Chaput fractures with a Maisonneuve fracture.