Ankle fractures represent the second most common orthopaedic trauma injuries after hip fractures. The management must provide adequate alignment for the joint line because anatomic reduction has been shown to give a better long-term result as restoration of function requires good reduction of the fractured fragments. Conventionally plain radiograph was the tool that most orthopaedic departments depend on to diagnose and classify ankle fractures. Because of the complex 3-dimensional anatomy and complexity of injuries, plain radiographs may be not sufficient to give the exact details and pattern of the fracture. So additional imaging should be considered as computer tomography scan.
AIM OF THE WORK:
The aim of this study was to analyze the role of preoperative CT scans in planning the management of complex ankle malleolar fractures and to determine when additional imaging beyond plain radiographs is indicated.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This prospective study was conducted on 100 consecutive patients with complex ankle malleolar fractures presented to EL-Hadra University Hospital with preoperative plain x ray and computer tomography scan. The age of the patients ranged between 17to 77 years old. There were 35 males and 65 females. Three observers orthopaedic two professors and a lecturer had