Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology WCR

Ankle fractureA Baltimore City firefighter injured his

ankle in a fall while responding to a call.

Kinesiology and Applied Physiology

Transverse fracture of fibula. Compound fracture of tibia. Dislocation of distal fibula relative to the talus. Complete disruption of distal tibiofibular joint.

Kinesiology and Applied Physiology

Normal left ankle. A. Anterior view. B. Lateral view. Source: O’Rahilly et al., Basic Human Anatomy, 2004. Retrieved 2012-03-04 from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_12/12-29.HTM

Talocrural joint is sometimes compared to mortise and tenon joint. Talocrural joint, unlike furniture joint, must allow movement while maintaining stability. . Image: Wikipedia.

Kinesiology and Applied Physiology

External fixation holds bone fragments in position. After first surgery.

Kinesiology and Applied Physiology

Radiograph after third (final) surgery. Anterior view. Internal fixation on fibula and tibia. Notice the similarity between the repaired talocrural joint (tibia, fibula, talus) and the normal talocrural joint. An excellent repair at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. O’Rahilly et al., Basic Human Anatomy, 2004.

Retrieved 2012-03-04 from http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/figures/chapter_12/12-29.HTM

Normal left ankle, anterior view.