Management of Pediatric Supination-inversion Ankle Injuries Involving Distal Tibia and Intraepiphyseal Distal Fibula Fractures

J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev. 2024 Apr 29;8(5):e23.00284. doi: 10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-23-00284. eCollection 2024 May 1.

Abstract

Pediatric ankle fractures are prevalent injuries that make up a notable portion of all periphyseal injuries. The Salter-Harris classification is the most popular classification about physeal and periepiphyseal injuries. Ogden expanded on this and described type 7 fractures which are completely intraepiphyseal and include propagation of the fracture from the articular surface through the epiphyseal cartilage and do not involve the physis. These injuries are common about the distal fibula in pediatric patients with supination-inversion type injuries. There are no specific guidelines or recommendations on treatment of these injuries in the literature. We present three cases of this injury pattern and describe our chosen management that leads each patient to full, painless ankle range of motion and return to all prior activities and sports without complication. Supination-inversion type pediatric ankle fractures are common injuries that all orthopaedic surgeons will encounter at some point throughout their practice or training. Recognizing fracture variants and understanding treatment options of pediatric ankle fractures are important for the orthopaedic community as a whole.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Ankle Fractures / surgery
  • Ankle Injuries* / diagnostic imaging
  • Ankle Injuries* / surgery
  • Child
  • Epiphyses / injuries
  • Female
  • Fibula Fractures* / surgery
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Supination*
  • Tibial Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Tibial Fractures / surgery