An uncommon case of irreducible ankle fracture-dislocation: the "Bosworth-like" tibio-fibular fracture.
An irreducible ankle-fracture dislocation characterized by the dislocation of the proximal fragment of the fibula posteriorly to the tibial tubercle is defined as "Bosworth injury". In the present report it is described, for the first time in literature, a complex case where the Bosworth injury was associated to a tibial plafond fracture: the proximal fibular fragment was entrapped between the tibial pilon and the fractured posterior tibial tubercle, which acted as a clamp, thus avoiding ankle reduction. Due to the presence of the tibial fracture, it was not possible to observe the typical radiological signs of Bosworth injury and therefore two unsuccessful reductions were attempted before performing a CT scan that revealed the complexity of the case, that required an immediate ORIF procedure to prevent the onset of complications.
Department of Orthopaedics, Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli n. 2, 40100 Bologna, Italy.
Michele
M
Cappuccio
Department of Orthopaedics, Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli n. 2, 40100 Bologna, Italy.
Danilo
D
Leonetti
Biomechanics Laboratory and II Orthopaedic Clinic, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, Via di Barbiano n. 1/10, 40100 Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: berardo.dimatteo@gmail.com.
Berardo
B
Di Matteo
Department of Orthopaedics, Maggiore Hospital, Largo Nigrisoli n. 2, 40100 Bologna, Italy.
Domenico
D
Tigani
D064386:Ankle Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Ankle; Bosworth injury; Irreducible ankle fracture-dislocation; Tibial pilon