Acute Management of Trimalleolar Fracture

Division

North Florida

Hospital

Ocala Regional Medical Center

Document Type

Case Report

Publication Date

1-6-2020

Keywords

trimalleolar fracture, ankle fractures, wounds and injuries

Disciplines

Emergency Medicine | Orthopedics

Abstract

Extremity trauma is a common emergency department presentation. The authors report a case of an elderly woman who sustained a trimalleolar ankle fracture. Emergency department care includes stabilization of the fracture with a splint, with careful assessment of neurovascular status. Trimalleolar fractures are unstable and thus almost always will require surgical repair. This is true even for elderly patients and those with co-morbidities. Patients who do not get a surgical repair for these fractures are at risk for significant morbidity, including compartment syndrome, arthritis, malunion, and loss of mobility.

Publisher or Conference

Cureus

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS