title: Nonunion of a fracture of the lateral malleolus: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Nonunion of a fracture of the lateral malleolus is a rare condition. We present a case of established nonunion of a fracture of the lateral malleolus confirmed and treated surgically, using debridement and internal fixation with autologous bone graft. At 5-year follow-up, the fracture was united but the patient still showed clinical signs of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Male gender, supination fractures, Weber type C fractures, and primary internal fixation are cited as possible risk factors. Prognosis is variable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2550, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rand
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mosheiff
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liebergall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000209:etiology