Weber and Lauge-Hansen Classification of Ankle Fractures: The Importance of Combined Classification

Presentation Format: Educational poster presentation.

Purpose or Learning Objective: This poster reviews the categories of ankle fractures using the combination of Weber and Lauge-Hansen classifications to understand the mechanisms of injury, the imaging features that characterize the different stages, and how these groupings can help determine the treatment.

Methods or Background: The highly complex ankle joint supports the body's weight and allows a wide variety of multidirectional movements. For this reason, ankle fracture is a common condition among trauma patients and players of contact sports. These traumatic injuries require a radiologic approach to be diagnosed, classified, and treated properly.

Results or Findings: Two main systems should be combined when accessing ankle fractures: the Weber and Lauge-Hansen classifications. Whereas the Weber classification focuses on fracture level according to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, the Lauge-Hansen classification considers the mechanism of injury (supination-adduction, supination-external rotation, pronation-external rotation, or pronation-abduction). Understanding the sequence of events that caused the fracture allows us to estimate the extent of ligamentous damage and instability.

Conclusion: Ankle fractures are prevalent among trauma patients and sports players, and the correct diagnosis of the injury is essential for appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. Imaging has a key role in the diagnosis. Combining the Weber and Lauge-Hansen classification systems allows us to understand the trauma mechanism and search for concomitant ligamentous injury. A proper diagnosis facilitates appropriate treatment and a better prognosis, highlighting the importance of radiologists and orthopaedic surgeons working together.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
03 June 2021