[Treatment of ankle fractures]

Fractures of the ankle joint are among the most frequent fractures encountered in any accident and emergency department. The traditional classification systems, i.e. the Lauge-Hansen- and the Weber classifications, have proven inadequate, when it comes to deciding, whether treatment should be surgical or conservative. About ten years ago, a stability-based classification was proposed in view of the fact, that the stabilisation of osteosynthesis depends on the stability of the ankle joint. The literature shows excellent long-term results for conservatively treated stable ankle joint fractures.