Foot & Ankle Fractures

Ankle fractures are among the most common orthopedic injuries and typically occur due to trauma, such as twisting, rolling, or direct impact on the ankle joint. These fractures involve a break in one or more bones that make up the ankle joint, including the tibia, fibula, or talus. Ankle fractures can vary widely in severity, ranging from stable fractures with minimal displacement to more complex fractures with significant displacement or joint involvement.

Common types of ankle fractures include lateral malleolus fractures, involving the fibula bone; medial malleolus fractures, involving the tibia bone; bimalleolar fractures, involving both the fibula and tibia bones; and trimalleolar fractures, involving the fibula, tibia, and posterior malleolus of the tibia.

Calcaneus fractures involve a break in the calcaneus bone, which forms the heel of the foot and plays a crucial role in weight-bearing and walking. These fractures typically occur as a result of high-energy trauma, such as falls from height, motor vehicle accidents, or sports injuries. Calcaneus fractures can be challenging to manage due to the complex anatomy of the heel bone and the significant forces involved in the injury mechanism. They may be classified based on the location and severity of the fracture, such as intra-articular fractures involving the subtalar joint or extra-articular fractures not involving the joint surface.

Metatarsal fractures involve a break in one or more of the long bones of the foot, known as the metatarsals, which connect the midfoot to the toes. These fractures can occur due to direct trauma, twisting injuries, or repetitive stress, and are commonly associated with activities such as running, jumping, or dancing. Metatarsal fractures may be classified based on the location of the fracture, such as proximal, middle, or distal fractures, as well as the degree of displacement or comminution.