Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, relationship with the ankle diastasis, and effect of treatment of the anterior tibiofibular ligament avulsion fracture (Wagstaffe fracture) combined with the Weber type B lateral malleolar fracture.
Methods: This study reviewed 94 cases of ankle fractures treated with operative methods.
Results: There were 52 cases of Weber type B lateral malleolar fractures and 13 cases of Wagstaffe fractures combined with them (25%). Ankle diastases were diagnosed in 20 cases (38.5%) in all Weber type B fractures and 11 (84.6%) of the 13 Wagstaffe fractures.
Conclusion: The Wagstaffe fracture can be a good diagnostic clue of ankle diastasis in Weber type B lateral malleolar fracture. The accurate reduction and fixation of the avulsed fragment is important for restoration of the stable distal tibiofibular joint and to prevent the chronic ankle joint pain caused by impingement of the avulsed fragment.