Maisonneuve Fracture of the Ankle

Ankle injuries account for millions of dollars spent in orthopedic healthcare each year. For many adults who suffer from ankle injuries, the complication is simply attributed to a mild or severe ankle sprain. However, in some cases, the injury may be far more complex involving a complex fracture.

In some cases of ankle fracture, the diagnosis may involve a very complex, but rare, type of fracture known as a maisonneuve fracture. With this type of fracture, the interior side of the ankle will become swollen and painful immediately after the accident takes place. If you've experienced an unusual rotation of your ankle, and you notice a significant degree of swelling and pain on the interior, or medial, side of the ankle and foot, it will be important to seek medical attention immediately.

To diagnose a maisonneuve fracture, an MRI will usually be performed. On MRI examination, the fracture will usually involve more than one fracture in the leg and include a fracture to the interior bone, known as the medial tibia, in addition to a fracture to the distal bone known as the fibula. In addition, there will be evidence of ligament damage. On x-ray, however, this type of injury can be misdiagnosed and, therefore, it will be important to insist upon an MRI study.

When confirmed as suffering from a maisonneuve fracture, the protocol for treatment usually requires immediately open-reduction internal fixation, ORIF, of the fractures. Because the dual fracture, coupled with ligament damage, can leave the ankle very unstable, the surgery is designed to improve stability and promote healing. While the maisonneuve fracture only accounts for approximately 5 to 10 percent of all ankle fractures, it is a risk nonetheless. In senior adults, the recovery period is far greater than that of younger patients but the length of recovery is significantly long. With the maisonneuve fracture, you can expect many months of recovery and rehabilitation but will not begin until the correct diagnosis of the ankle injury is made.