Nonunion of a fracture of the lateral malleolus: a case report and review of the literature.
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.
Rand
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Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2550, USA.
Mosheiff
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Liebergall
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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