Ankle fractures in the elderly: Do we have new concepts?

Abstract

The relevance of geriatric ankle fractures is continuously increasing. Treatment of these patients remains challenging and requires adapted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, as compliance to partial weight bearing is difficult to maintain compared to younger patients. In addition, in the elderly even low impact injuries may lead to severe soft tissue trauma, influencing timing and operative strategies. Recently, the direct posterolateral approach and plate fixation techniques, angular stable implants as well as intramedullary nailing of the distal fibula have been found to improve stategical concepts. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic and recent aspects with respect to how this difficult entity of injuries should be approached.