Morphology of occult posterior malleolus fractures associated with tibial shaft fractures

This study highlighted an association between spiral tibial shaft fractures and type 2A posterior malleolus fractures. Unlike the PM fractures of the ankle, the majority of PM fractures associated with tibia fractures are undisplaced. We theorize that unlike the force transmission in ankle fractures, where the rotational force is in the axial plane in a distal-proximal direction, in the PM fractures related to tibia fractures, the rotational force in the axial plane progresses from proximal-distal. Therefore, the force transmission which exits posteriorly, finally dissipates the force and is thus unlikely to displace.