Definitions
Bimalleolar fracture is a fracture of bones of both sides of the ankle. A temporary dislocation and rupture of ligaments of the ankle joint may also accompany this injury. The fracture sites include both of the mallet-shaped sides of the lower end of the tibia (leg bone) and the corresponding side of the fibula (leg bone). You can view this type of fracture here.
Pilon
fracture is a comminuted fracture of the distal tibia. The fracture
consists of a long oblique fracture extending medial to lateral as well as a
fracture extending to the tibiotalar articular surface. It
is usually caused by a high-energy axial force which also produces severe
soft-tissue damage, with
talus impacting upon the tibial plafond. This type of fracture is quite severe
and frequently causes multiple complications such as posttraumatic arthritis. It is shown here.
Syndesmosis
is an articulation in which adjacent bones are bound together by a ligament. The
syndesmosis of the ankle is made up of anterior tibiofibular ligament,
interosseous ligament, and posterior-fibular ligaments. Following trauma to the
ankle, such as an ankle fracture, the syndesmotic joint can become unstable and
painful. Surgery may be needed to stabilize the syndeosmotic joint to allow
these ligaments to properly heal.
Syndesmotic
screw is
a positioning screw that is used to hold but not compress the syndesmosis. More
information and x-ray films are available here.
Trimalleolar
fracture is the one that involves medial, lateral, and posterior
malleoli of the tibia. This fracture may be caused by talar eversion and
posterior displacement. The fracture is also known as a