Medial malleolus fractures are classified by the actual orientation of the fracture line.
you’re able to feel this area as the bump on the inner side of your ankle joint.
It bears 90% of the weight-bearing load, so this is a common fracture.
Dr. Neal Blitz
A majority of ankle fractures are the result of rotational forces.
You step wrong and twist your foot inward or outward to cause the break.Medial malleolus fracturesare relatively uncommon.
Identifying if fracture ankle surgery is necessary for medial malleolus ankle fractures is usually straightforward.
the rads / Getty Images
Whether you will need surgery or just casting depends on the severity of the ankle injury.
The images below show different fractures.
Note: Some images also show associated injuries and before and after results.
the rads / Getty Images
Chip Fractures
Chip fractures are the sign ofligamentrupture on the inner side of the ankle.
The ligament can pull off a small piece of bone as the ligament is ruptured.
This chip fracture is also known as anavulsion fracture.
Dr. Neal Blitz
They are sometimes seen with simple ankle sprains.
The presence of an avulsion fracture, however, may indicate a more severe injury.
An avulsion fracture may require a cast or walking boot.
Dr. Neal Blitz
Avulsed bone fragments can be put back into place with fixation screws.
While these fractures extend into the ankle joint, they do not extend into the weight-bearing portion.
Surgery is sometimes needed to stabilize a traverse fracture using cannulated screws.
These are screws that are inserted through the skin using a hollow, narrow tube called a cannula.
It is associated with an oblique fibular fracture and often occurs at the corner of the ankle joint.
The presence of an oblique medial malleolar fracture is generally indicative an unstable ankle.
Surgery is often recommended rather than casting, utilizing screws as well as wire fixation.
These fractures can extend into the weight-bearing portion of the ankle joint.
Vertical fractures of the medial malleolus may require more than just screws to stabilize the ankle.
Imaging via X-rays and sometimes CT scans is crucial to determine whether surgery will be necessary.
