Osteoporotic Ankle Fractures

by Vince Vacketta, DPM

Ankle fractures are the third most common fracture among elderly individuals. They often come with extra difficulties such as debility, poor bone and soft tissue quality, and a higher incidence of comorbid conditions.

A refresh on pro-tib fixation

Instead of using intramedullary nail fixation for osteoporotic fractures, a case report by Beshr et al. presents a modified pro-tib screw technique that addresses both the proximal and distal fibular fracture segments. This technique offers improved stability compared to traditional pro-tib techniques and avoids the need for joint fusion. Although its effectiveness in early weightbearing is uncertain, this case report shows a viable strategy for managing fractures in elderly and osteoporotic patients.