Ankle Fractures and Joint Stability: Principles of Emergency Management and Treatment Decisions
This lecture reviews key principles in the emergency management and treatment of ankle fractures, emphasizing how fracture pattern and joint stability guide clinical decision-making. It outlines the differences in approach to open and closed ankle fractures, highlights the importance of achieving and maintaining anatomic alignment, and explains when non-operative care is appropriate. The Weber classification is introduced as a practical tool to predict ligamentous injury and instability based on the level of fibular fracture. The session also covers early reduction techniques, hematoma block, splinting, and the need for urgent referral in cases with syndesmotic widening, deltoid ligament disruption, or open injury. Careful radiographic monitoring and timely surgical intervention are essential to prevent malalignment, skin complications, and long-term functional impairment.
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SONA Global Virtual Education Conferences, created in partnership with the Harvard Global Orthopaedics Collaborative (HGOC), are the cornerstone of this educational programming—bringing together expert faculty and evidence-based insights to advance musculoskeletal care worldwide.
Speakers
- HGOC / SONA Global
Learning objectives
- Describe initial management steps for open and closed ankle fractures.
- Explain how fracture displacement and ligament injury affect ankle stability.
- Apply the Weber classification to predict instability and guide treatment.
- Recognize indications for urgent reduction, splinting, and non-weight bearing.
- Identify when surgical referral and fixation are required to maintain alignment.