A surgical approach to a displaced ankle fracture

The goal of reduction in displaced ankle fractures is the restoration of normal function in the involved extremity. This can be accomplished only by restoring the normal anatomy of the involved joints. Closed reduction is not always successful or indicated if vascular compromise, interspersed soft tissue, or osseous fragments are present. Open reduction with internal fixation allows for direct visualization of the involved parts and an accurate and rigid form of fixation. A case report of a displaced ankle fracture treated with open reduction and internal A-O fixation is presented.