Mortise ankle x-rays in surgical planning and post-op recovery

As with much of orthopaedics, radiography remains the principal evaluation strategy when investigating trauma of the ankle joint. This joint, composed of the tbia, fibula, and talus, is one of the most commonly injured joints and is the most common type of fracture treated by orthopaedic surgeons. Most ankle fractures are malleolar, predominantly involving the lateral malleolus. Patients usually present with unimalleolar fractures but bimalloelar or trimalleolar fractures can develop with more significant trauma. Due to the common presentation of ankle fractures in the Emergency Department (ED) and in outpatient orthopedic fracture clinics, knowledge about proper imaging and radiography can help guide a surgeon’s decision to operate versus proceed with conservative management. This, in turn, is critical for patient management and prognosis with regards to post-operative mobility and rehabilitation.