UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Orthopedics

Title: Ankle fracture classification

Keywords: Weber, ankle fracture, fibula (PubMed Search)

Posted: 11/26/2011 by Brian Corwell, MD (Updated: 4/19/2024)
Click here to contact Brian Corwell, MD

The Weber classification system

A commonly used, simple, easily remembered system used to describe ankle fractures. The system focuses on the integrity of the syndesmosis.

http://www.accessemergencymedicine.com/loadBinary.aspx?fileName=simo_c017f013t.gif

  - TYPE A:  fibula fracture below the ankle joint/syndesmosis (which is intact). Deltoid ligament intact. Medial malleolus can be fractured. Usually treated with closed reduction.

http://www.gentili.net/image1.asp?ID=-241442344&imgid=AnkleWeberAAP600.jpg&Fx=Weber+A+Fracture

  - TYPE B:  is a transsyndesmotic fracture with usually partial rupture of the syndesmosis (though may be intact). No gross widening to the tib/fib articulation.. Deltoid ligament intact. Medial malleolus often fractured.  Variable stability. Any clinical or radiographic injury to the medial joint complex make this an unstable fracture

http://www.gentili.net/image.asp?ID=145&imgid=AnkleWeberBmortise600.jpg&Fx=Weber+B+Fracture

  - TYPE C:  Fibular fracture above the level of the syndesmosis with usually a total rupture of the syndesmosis (seen as widening of the distal tib/fin articulation), resulting in instability of the ankle mortise. Associated with medial malleolus fracture or deltoid ligament injury. Unstable.

http://www.gentili.net/image1.asp?ID=146&imgid=anklewebcapoblx2600.jpg&Fx=Weber+C+Fracture

References