Initial Management of Ankle Fractures in the Overweight and Obese: The Providence Pinch

Abstract

BackgroundObese and overweight people have higher rates of ankle injury, particularly operative ankle fractures. The initial management of unstable ankle fractures includes closed reduction and splinting to limit soft tissue injury and articular cartilage damage until definitive operative fixation can be performed. Adequate reduction can be more difficult in the obese patient due to the weight and additional padding provided by the larger soft tissue envelope. DiscussionA novel technique, described herein by the authors, may be useful in obtaining a suitable reduction of the ankle in the initial management of unstable ankle fractures in the overweight and obese. ConclusionsObese patients have unique musculoskeletal injury profiles and special considerations in their management. The authors have found this technique useful in the management of their ankle fractures.