An Unusual Presentation of Chaput Tubercle Fracture with Coexisting Bimalleolar Component Involving Lateral and Posterior Malleoli: A Case Report

Prem Kumar  Kothimbakkam; Vijayashankar  Murugesan; Bharath  Vadivelkumar; Esa  Gokulakrishnan

doi:10.18502/jost.v10i3.16788

Prem Kumar Kothimbakkam Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
Vijayashankar Murugesan Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
Bharath Vadivelkumar Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India
Esa Gokulakrishnan Postgraduate, Department of Orthopedics, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jost.v10i3.16788

Keywords: Case Reports; Ankle Fractures; Ankle

Abstract

Background: Chaput tubercle fracture is a counterpart to adolescent Tillaux fracture, which occurs at the anterolateral part or the attachment site of the antero-inferior tibiofibular ligament on the distal tibia. It is rare, and its presentation may not be well appreciated in X-rays, which depicts the importance of a computed tomography (CT) scan of the ankle to reveal the same.

Case Report: A 25-year-old gentleman presented to Chettinad Hospital, India, casualty with acute onset of pain, swelling, and restricted movements at the ankle joint following a road traffic accident. Ankle CT revealed a Chaput fracture along with a bimalleolar fracture (posterior and lateral malleoli). The complex displaced fracture was managed with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with plate osteosynthesis for the posterior malleoli and lateral malleoli, and tension band wiring was done for the Chaput tubercle fracture. At the end of two-year follow-up, the patient was able to mobilise without any support.

Conclusion: Through this case report, we would like to enumerate the rarity of Chaput tubercle fracture associated with bimalleolar fracture of the ankle, which will be evaluated better with a CT evaluation in the first place. At the same time, it gives valuable information for the preoperative surgical plan.