Lack of Displacement of the Fibula Is Not a Confirmation of Ankle Stability in Supination External Pattern Ankle Fractures

Conclusions: Previous work indicated that patients with an isolated SE pattern fibula fracture, a normal MCS, and ≤2 mm of fibular displacement on the lateral radiograph have a high rate of ankle stability, with a positive predictive value of approximately 97%. We were unable to confirm this finding because 15% of unstable ankles had 0 mm and 55% had ≤2 mm of fibular displacement. We conclude that stability may not be inferred from a lack of fibular displacement on the lateral view in this population of patients. If stability is to be determined, it must be tested irrespective of fibular displacement on the lateral radiograph. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Source: Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Original Article Source Type: research