Ankle fractures are common among healthy adults, but even moreso among elderly patients. And the population of so-called Baby Boomers (today’s 60–78-year-olds) is expected to nearly double by 2050. Ankle fractures in patients with osteopenia and in diabetic patients with deranged bone remodeling constitute high-risk injuries that may result in catastrophic complications.
Successful outcomes in the surgical treatment of the fractured ankle require methods that respect the soft tissue envelope and establish a stable mortise for functional rehabilitation. These patients present unique care challenges (eg, tenuous soft tissues, incision skin margin necrosis, neuropathy) and should not be approached in the same manner as their healthy counterparts. We present the principles of treatment in high-risk ankle fractures, operative treatment philosophy illustrating techniques frequently used at our institution, and a review of current literature.
Source: Krcal CE Jr, Collman DR. Management of high-risk ankle fractures. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 2024;41(1):73-101. doi: 10.1016/j.cpm.2023.06.003.
