Therapeutic approach to combined deltoid ligament disruption with lateral malleolus fracture: Current evidence and literature review

Ankle fractures are among the most common injuries treated by orthopaedic traumatologists. These fractures range from stable, simple injuries to complex, multi-planar unstable ones. Osseo-ligamentous structures play a paramount role in maintaining the stability of the ankle joint. The deltoid ligament is among the most important ankle static stabilizers. Rupture of this ligament along with a lateral malleolar fracture is considered by many as an unstable type of injury and usually requires surgical treatment (bi-malleolar equivalent). Left untreated, it may lead to chronic pain, loss of function and secondary arthritis. Due to lack of high-quality evidence, there are no welldefined, well-accepted criteria for the diagnosis and treatment for treating this type of injury.