Tibial shaft fracture and ankle injury – Case report

Abstract

The authors report on a case of tibial shaft fracture associated with ankle injury. The clinical, radiological and surgical characteristics are discussed. Assessment of associated injuries is often overlooked and these injuries are hard to diagnose. When torque occurs in the lower limb, the ankle becomes susceptible to simultaneous injury. It is essential to make careful assessment based on clinical, radiographic, intraoperative and postoperative characteristics in order to attain functional recovery.

Incidence and Predictive Factors of Tibial Fracture with Occult Posterior Ankle Fractures

“…Early identification of patients with tibial fractures combined with occult posterior ankle fractures can prevent posterior ankle fractures during intramedullary nailing or postoperative further displacement due to insufficient protection [ 10 , 11 ]. However, during clinical diagnosis and treatment, tibial fractures and posterior ankle fractures are easily missed [ 12 ]. The first reason is that most ankle fractures are hidden fractures, and it is difficult to diagnose these fractures by X-ray; Most doctors only notice the obvious displacement of tibial shaft fractures, but usually do not take into account the possible ankle fracture, and the first X-ray film usually does not include the ankle joint, so the ankle fracture is missed.…”