title: Proposal for lateral malleolar reconstruction in fibula loss proximal to the syndesmosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High energy ankle injury can be devastating. Fibula loss proximal to the syndesmosis is a management challenge. The aim of this paper is to show that simple fusion of the floating lateral malleolus to the tibial plafond can restore the ankle mortice integrity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case report of a patient that had spontaneous fusion of the lateral malleolus to the lateral tibial plafond after a high energy injury and subsequent sepsis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Uneventful union of the lateral malleolus to the lateral tibial plafond.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ankle fusion, bone lengthening procedures are time consuming and costly. A simple fusion of the lateral malleolus to the tibial plafond will restore stability to the ankle joint.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A U
authors.initials: AU
authors.lastname: Ekere
mesh_terms: D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001860:Bone Plates; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011859:Radiography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*