An Unusual Ankle Injury: The Bosworth-Pilon Fracture

Abstract

The Bosworth injury occurs when the distal fibula becomes entrapped posterior to the posterior tibial tubercle, usually as a result of a supination external rotation injury. This uncommon occurrence is a recognized cause of an irreducible ankle dislocation. A pilon fracture is usually a high-energy injury caused by the talus being driven upward into the tibial plafond. The resulting bone and soft tissue injuries often require a staged approach to management. The present report is the first in the medical data to describe a Bosworth injury complicating a pilon fracture. We also discuss a management approach for this rare fracture.

Keywords: ankle; fibula; surgery; tibia; trauma.