Journal of Musculoskeletal Trauma

Relationship of lateral malleolar fracture patterns to posterior malleolar fracture morphology in supination-external rotation ankle fractures in Korea: a retrospective cohort stduy: Jong-Eun Kim, Chan-Jin Park, Jun-Young Lee, Keun-Bae Lee, Gun-Woo Lee; J Musculoskelet Trauma 2025;38(4):212-220. Published online October 24, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2025.00234

Abstract PDF: Background
Posterior malleolar fractures frequently accompany rotational ankle fractures. However, the morphological relationship between lateral and posterior malleolar fractures in supination-external rotation (SER) ankle fractures remains unclear. This study aimed to classify lateral malleolar fracture patterns in SER type 3 and 4 ankle fractures and investigated their associations with posterior malleolar fracture morphology.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 132 patients with SER type 3 or 4 ankle fractures and concurrent posterior malleolar fractures between January 2016 and December 2021. Lateral malleolar fractures were categorized as fibular fractures extending <4.5 cm proximal to the ankle joint (102 ankles) or fibular fractures extending ≥4.5 cm proximal to the ankle joint (30 ankles) based on posterior cortex height measured using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). Posterior malleolar fracture morphology was assessed using the Haraguchi and Bartonicek classifications. Quantitative parameters—including fracture height, angle, and articular involvement—were analyzed using 3D-CT imaging.
Results
Fibular fractures extending ≥4.5 cm proximal to the ankle joint were associated with a significantly higher frequency of Haraguchi type II and Bartonicek types 3 and 4 posterior malleolar fractures. This group also exhibited greater articular involvement (19.2% vs. 12.0%) and posterior cortical height (55.4 mm vs. 24.8 mm) compared to the <4.5 cm group (all P<0.001).
Conclusions
In SER type 3 and 4 ankle fractures, a fibular fracture extending ≥4.5 cm proximal to the ankle joint may be associated with posterior malleolar fractures exhibiting greater articular involvement and medial extension. Preoperative evaluation of the lateral malleolar fracture pattern may provide useful insights into posterior malleolar morphology and assist in surgical planning. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to inherent study limitations. Level of evidence: IV

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Correlation of bone mineral density with ankle fractures in older adults in Korea: a retrospective cohort study: Seung Hyun Lee, Chae Hun Lee, Seo Jin Park, Jun Young Lee; J Musculoskelet Trauma 2025;38(4):186-192. Published online October 24, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2025.00150

Abstract PDF: Background
Bone mineral density (BMD) is well-documented in relation to fractures of the spine, hip, distal radius, and proximal humerus; however, its correlations with other fracture types are less established. This study aimed to analyze BMD and associated risk factors in older adults (≥65 years of age) with osteoporotic ankle fractures. These fractures involve low-energy trauma, resulting from falls from a standing height or lower, and occur from impacts which typically do not cause fractures in individuals with normal bone.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed data from 1,411 patients diagnosed with ankle fractures admitted to Chosun University Hospital between February 2012 and April 2023. After applying inclusion criteria (age ≥65 years; low energy ankle fracture) and exclusion criteria (high energy trauma, open/multiple fractures, missing dual X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]), 73 of 1,411 patients were analyzed. Lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip T scores were obtained with a Horizon Wi DXA scanner, and associations with age, sex, mechanism of injury, comorbidities, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), and history of fractures were tested by ANOVA with Scheffe post hoc and Fisher exact tests.
Results
Lower BMD correlated significantly with older age, female sex, and lower BMI (P<0.05) in older adults with ankle fractures. No significant associations were observed for comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, dementia), smoking, alcohol consumption, injury mechanism, or prior fractures.
Conclusion
These results indicate that older age, female, and lower BMI are linked to reduced BMD in ankle fracture patients over 65 years of age. Focused osteoporosis screening and management may therefore be most beneficial for older, low BMI women presenting with ankle fractures. Level of evidence: IV.

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Risk factors for ankle fractures in older adults based on clinical components of the Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) tool and comorbidities in Korea: a retrospective case-control study: Myeong Jun Song, Se Woong Jang, Jun Young Lee, Seojin Park; J Musculoskelet Trauma 2025;38(4):193-202. Published online October 24, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2025.00143

Abstract PDF: Background
Ankle fractures are common in older adults; however, their relationship with osteoporotic fractures remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate potential risk factors for ankle fractures in older adults by analyzing individual clinical components of the Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) tool and comorbidities.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective case-control study including 84 patients aged ≥65 years with ankle fractures and 150 controls who underwent bone mineral density (BMD) testing without prior ankle fractures. The variables analyzed included age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, prior fracture history, and comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dementia. BMD was measured at the spine, total hip, and femoral neck.
Results
Univariate analysis showed that alcohol consumption, diabetes mellitus, and total hip T-score categories were significantly associated with ankle fractures. In binary logistic regression, alcohol consumption remained significantly associated with higher ankle fracture risk (odds ratio [OR], 5.302; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.778–15.811; P=0.003), and both osteopenia and osteoporosis at the total hip were also associated with increased risk (OR, 3.260, P=0.049; OR, 3.561, P=0.031, respectively). Diabetes mellitus did not reach statistical significance in the adjusted model (P=0.074). Model fit was adequate (Hosmer-Lemeshow P=0.377), and post hoc power analysis confirmed sufficient sample size.
Conclusions
These findings suggest that lower total hip BMD and alcohol-related factors may be associated with ankle fracture risk in older adults. The FRAX score itself was not calculated; instead, this study focused on analyzing selected clinical components. Limitations include the retrospective design, lack of fall and medication data, and cross-sectional BMD assessment. Level of evidence: III.

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The Evaluation of Clinical and Radiographic Prognostic Factors for the Surgically Treated Unstable Ankle Fractures: Hong Geun Jung, Hee Kon Park, Moon Jib Yoo, Tai Won Kim; J Korean Soc Fract 2002;15(2):216-225. Published online April 30, 2002; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jksf.2002.15.2.216

Abstract PDF

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical and radiographic prognostic factors which may affect the postoperative clinical results of the unstable ankle fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study is based on 75 unstable ankle fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation from May 1994 to August 2000, with a minimum follow-up period of 12 months(range : 13 months-7 years 3 months). The 75 patients were average 40.5 years old with male: female ratio of 52:23. Based on Lauge-Hansen classification, the supination-external rotation type was the most common with 42 (56.0%) cases. The clinical results was assessed by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) functional scale. The sex, age, side of injury, body weight, trauma-operation interval, operation time, cause of injury as the possible postoperative clinical prognostic factors and fracture type, anatomical reduction of fracture, preoperative medial clear space, postoperative medial clear space, talo-crural angle, talar tilt, tibio-fibular clear space, tibio-fibular overlap space as the possible radiographic prognostic factor were statistically analyzed RESULT: Postoperative AOFAS functional scale was average 81.0 points with 23(30.7%) cases excellent, 17(22.7%) good, 18(24.0%) fair and 17(22.7%) cases poor results. The age, the operation time(p<0.001) and the anatomical reduction of fracture(p<0.005) were found to be statistically significant factors affecting the prognosis. The other clinical and radiographic factors did not significantly affect the clinical results.
CONCLUSION
The surgically treated unstable ankle fractures in patients whose age was above 41 years old or operation time exceeding 90 minutes or unsatisfied anatomical reduction of fractures showed significantly poor clinical results.

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Analysis of Bone Mineral Density of Ankle Fracture Patients
Tae Hyung Kim, Jae Hyung Lee, Seung-Hwan Park
Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association.2021; 56(4): 334. CrossRef

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