A bimalleolar fracture is a
fracture
Fracture is the separation of an object or material into two or more pieces under the action of stress. The fracture of a solid usually occurs due to the development of certain displacement discontinuity surfaces within the solid. If a displa ...
of the
ankle
The ankle, or the talocrural region, or the jumping bone (informal) is the area where the foot and the leg meet. The ankle includes three joints: the ankle joint proper or talocrural joint, the subtalar joint, and the inferior tibiofibular join ...
that involves the
lateral malleolus
A malleolus is the bony prominence on each side of the human ankle.
Each leg is supported by two bones, the tibia on the inner side (medial) of the leg and the fibula on the outer side (lateral) of the leg. The medial malleolus is the promine ...
and the
medial malleolus
A malleolus is the bony prominence on each side of the human ankle.
Each leg is supported by two bones, the tibia on the inner side (medial) of the leg and the fibula on the outer side (lateral) of the leg. The medial malleolus is the promine ...
. Studies have shown
that bimalleolar fractures are more common in women, people over 60 years of age, and patients with existing comorbidities.
Treatment
Surgical treatment will often be required, usually an
Open Reduction Internal Fixation
Internal fixation is an operation in orthopedics that involves the surgical implementation of implants for the purpose of repairing a bone, a concept that dates to the mid-nineteenth century and was made applicable for routine treatment in the m ...
. This involves the surgical
reduction, or realignment, of the fracture followed by the implementation of surgical implants to aid in the healing of the fracture.
Prognosis
According to some studies, patients with bimalleolar fractures had significantly worse function in the ankle one year after
surgical
Surgery ''cheirourgikē'' (composed of χείρ, "hand", and ἔργον, "work"), via la, chirurgiae, meaning "hand work". is a medical specialty that uses operative manual and instrumental techniques on a person to investigate or treat a pat ...
treatment. After recovering fully from their fractures, the majority of patients experience little to mild pain and have few restrictions in functionality.
See also
*
Trimalleolar fracture
A trimalleolar fracture is a fracture of the ankle that involves the lateral malleolus, the medial malleolus, and the distal posterior aspect of the tibia, which can be termed the posterior malleolus. The trauma is sometimes accompanied by lig ...
*
Pott's fracture
References
External links
Injuries of ankle and foot
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