Operative treatment of isolated epiphyseal fracture of the distal fibula: 1 case report and literature review

Abstract

Abstract Pediatric ankle injuries are common; ankle epiphyseal fractures are also common in children. But isolated distal epiphyseal fibular fractures of the distal fibula are clinically rare. We describe one unusual case of an adolescent with a completely displaced Salter-Harris type II distal fibular epiphyseal fracture. The attempt of closed reduction failed, and the patient required open reduction and internal fixation. The localized periosteum and the superior peroneal retinaculum were avulsed from the distal fibular metaphysis, with the peroneal tendons underneath exposed but no obvious subluxation. To the best of our knowledge, this combination of injuries has not been previously reported.

Keywords

• Isolated epiphyseal fracture of the distal fibula
• Syndesmosis
• Superior peroneal retinaculum
• Ankle fleck sign