An evaluation of the Weber classification of ankle fractures

This retrospective study over a 3 year follow-up was designed to establish the significance of the Weber classification of ankle fractures with regards to functional and radiographic outcome. One hundred and seven patients were available for follow-up, of which 88 ankles could be classified with the Weber system. Medial malleolar fractures alone and pilon fractures could not be classified with this system. A correlation was found between the type of Weber fracture and the overall ankle score. This held true for unimalleolar fractures alone. More complex bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures did not follow this convention. Logistical regression analysis was used to evaluate other predictors of outcome. Bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures were statistically significant predictors of a poorer outcome ( P=0.033, P=0.021). The initial degree of displacement was also determined to be a predictor of outcome ( P=0.0133) as was the operative reduction ( P=0.0113). Using linear regression, older age (>62 years) was also established as a predictor of a poorer outcome ( P