Epidemiology of ankle fractures in Rochester, Minnesota
Daly, P.J.; Fitzgerald, R.H.; Melton, L.J.; Ilstrup, D.M.
Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica 58(5): 539-544
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6470 PMID: 3425285 Document Number: 288822
The epidemiology of ankle fractures was examined among Rochester, Minnesota, residents during the 3-year period 1979-1981. Ankle fractures occurred with an overall age- and sex-adjusted incidence rate of 187 per 100,000 person-years; this is higher than in earlier population-based studies. The most frequent cause of ankle fractures was sports-related trauma. The incidence of fractures associated with moderate trauma, on the other hand, increased markedly in middle-aged women, but declined in elderly women. Diabetes mellitus and obesity were associated with fractures in middle-aged and older adults. Of accepted classifications, the Lauge-Hansen system provided the most clinically relevant information.