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This X-ray is done to determine if the syndesmosis (area between the lower tibia and fibula) is injured.Ĭomputed tomography (CT) scan. Your doctor may also take X-rays of the leg and foot to make sure there are no other injuries.ĭepending on the type of ankle fracture, your doctor may put pressure on the ankle and take a special X-ray called a stress X-ray. They can also show how many pieces of broken bone there are. They can show where the bones are broken and if any of the bones are out of place (displaced). X-rays provide images of dense structures such as bone. X-rays. Most ankle fractures can be diagnosed with X-rays. If your doctor suspects an ankle fracture, they will order one or more of the following imaging tests to diagnose and evaluate the fracture This is called talar shift and the ankle joint is unstable.After discussing your medical history and how the injury occurred, your doctor will do a careful examination of your ankle, lower leg, and foot. If they are not and the talar dome is not parallel to the tibial plafond, the syndesmosis has been torn. The joint spaces around the talus should be the same all the way around. whether there is another fracture (medial malleolus, talus).whether there is displacement (translocation, angulation, rotation).what type of fracture (transverse, oblique, spiral, comminuted).where the fracture is in the bone (relative to syndesmosis).Once you have seen the fracture, remember to describe: Remember that avulsion injuries may be small, and just involve the tip, or the internal surface of the malleolus.
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If there is a lot of soft tissue swelling over the lateral malleolus, but no fracture, then there has been a ligamentous injury. The AP and lateral views from an ankle x-ray will almost always allow detection of a lateral malleolar fracture. It is worth noting that fractures may be invisible on one projection. In most cases an ankle x-ray is all that is required for diagnosis and follow up. This results in widening of the distal tibiofibular joint and loss of integrity of the socket. In Weber B and C fractures the syndesmosis may have been torn (partially or completely).
#Cpt orif distal fibula fracture series#
inability to bear weight both immediately after injury and during clinical examinationĪn ankle x-ray series (AP and lateral views) is usually all that is needed to make a diagnosis.Īnkle fractures may be the result of a vast array of injuries that range from an inversion injury to a complex high energy trauma sporting injury.point tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of the medial malleoulus.point tenderness at the posterior edge or tip of the lateral malleoulus.The Ottawa ankle rules allow evidence-based decision making regarding the need for plain radiographs in patients with a traumatic ankle injury.Ī plain film radiograph is indicated in the setting of trauma if there are any of the following clinical examination findings 1: Most patients present following an episode of trauma with ankle pain, tenderness and an inability to weight bear. Risk factorsĬigarette smoking and obesity are both risk factors for ankle fractures. motor vehicle accident, sporting injury), while older patients present following minor trauma (e.g. Young patients present following injuries in relatively high-energy trauma (e.g. Ankle injuries, like many fractures have a bimodal distribution.
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