Distal leg fractures
Background
Distal Leg Fracture Types
- Tibial plateau fracture
- Tibial shaft fracture
- Pilon fracture
- Maisonneuve fracture
- Tibia fracture (peds)
- Ankle fracture
- Foot and toe fractures
Clinical Features
- History of trauma
- Pain over fracture site
Differential Diagnosis
Calf pain
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Calcaneal bursitis
- Cellulitis
- Compartment syndrome
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT)
- Distal leg fractures
- Gastrocnemius strain
- Ruptured popliteal cyst (Bakers cyst)
- Superficial thrombophlebitis
Evaluation
Workup
- XR tib/fib (distal leg) 2 view
- Consider need for dedicated knee films and/or CT
- Consider need for more proximal or distal plain films
Diagnosis
Management & Disposition
Distal Leg Fractures Management Chart
| Fracture | Splint | Disposition |
| Tibial plateau fracture | Knee immobilizer | Ortho referral in 2-7d |
| Tibial shaft fracture | Long leg posterior splint | |
| Pilon Fracture | Long leg posterior splint | |
| Maisonneuve Fracture | Long leg posterior splint | |
| Ankle fracture | Posterior ankle splint |