The special named ankle fractures: the diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Due to the complex anatomical structure of ankle and the various mechanisms of ankle injury, manyeponyms and systematic classifications of ankle fracture have been developed in the past centuries. Before the emergence and constant improvement of classifications of ankle fracture, ankle fractures were most commonly named afterthe physicians who first described them. Now,these ankle fracture eponyms are still found in medical literature, textbooks and even mass media. Many special named ankle fractures can be explained by the Lauge-Hansen classification now, and they may have little practical use. However, it is still necessary to summarize and review these ankle fracture eponyms, in order to correct the wrong usage of these and to remember the sages in this field.We reviewed both common and less frequently used ankle fracture eponyms, focusing on imaging features to identify and differentiate these injuries. We also briefly reviewed the mechanism of each injury, associated complications, its diagnosis and treatment.