A Proposal for Classification of Children's Ankle Fracture

Purpose : The purpose was to propose a new classification of children's ankle fracture and to evaluate the therapeutic and prognostic efficacy. Materials and Methods : The new classification is based on the number of fractured structures among three anatomical landmarks (articular surface, growth plate of the distal tibia and the growth plate of the distal fibula). Type I: one of the landmarks is fractured. Type II: two are fractured. Type III: all three are fractured. Type IV: crushing injury of either growth plate or the articular surface of the distal tibia. Type V: Intra-articular triplane fracture of the distal tibia. We analysed the final results obtained using the modified Weber protocol. Results : Of the thirty-five cases, we classified twenty-one as Type I, (excellent 17, good 4); three as Type II, (excellent 2, good 1); four as Type III, (excellent 2, good 2); two as Type IV, (fair 2); and five as Type V, (excellent 3, good 2). Conclusion : Most children's ankle fractures are classified using the proposed classification. However, the number of patients and the follow up period were not enough to generalize the proposed method. In the future, a more prospective, systemic study will be needed.