Isolated fracture of the lateral malleolus requires no treatment

Abstract

54 patients with isolated SE II fractures through the lateral malleolus, with 2 mm maximum dislocation, were treated with an elastic bandage and immediate weight bearing. 2 patients suffered dislocation but both should not, on reassessment, have been included in the study. 49 of the remaining patients were assessed after an average of 1.5 years. All but 4 patients had very minor, if any, symptoms. The average sick leave was 6.3 weeks and the patients were back to normal activity in about 4 months. This virtual nontreatment was safe and beneficial to both the patients and the health service.