Clinical imaging · UKMLA & AKT

Ankle fractures

A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test. Below are the key points to recognise ankle fractures — the full SA Note notes add investigations, management, complications and 10 practice questions.

Key high-yield points

  • In children, the physis (growth plate) is the weakest point in the bone-ligament complex - force that causes a ligament sprain in an adult causes a physeal fracture in a child. The Salter-Harris classification determines risk of growth arrest and need for orthopaedic referral.

Types III-V carry the highest risk of growth disturbance and all require orthopaedic input. Type V may appear normal on plain X-ray.

Exam pearl: fracture through the posterior metaphysis + growth plate disruption + posterior epiphyseal displacement = Salter-Harris type II (most common physeal injury). The mnemonic SALTR: Slipped, Above, Lower, Through, ERasure.

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