Wagstaffe-Le Fort Fracture

Description

Wagstaffe-Le Fort Fracture: avulsion fracture of the medial aspect of the distal fibula due to avulsion of the anterior tibiofibular ligament attachment (ATFL).

See also: Tillaux-Chaput avulsion fracture – posterolateral tibia avulsion

History

1875 – William Warwick Wagstaffe reviewed 62 ankle fractures sustained between 1866-1868 following direct and indirect violence. He recorded 2 cases in which he could find ‘no parallel instance to the two which are subjoined‘. Wagstaffe original description:

‘I find in none of the standard works to which I have able to refer any mention of cases in which the fracture was of the character found in the two cases here recorded. The peculiar feature of these cases was the existence of a vertical fracture of the fibula in its lower end, with a displacement of the fractured portion in such a way that it was twisted round on its long axis.’

1886 – Léon Clément Le Fort observed and described 3 clinical cases of isolated fracture of the anterior margin of the lateral malleolus corresponding to the attachment of the ligamentum malleoli lateralis anterius. In his opinion the fracture was produced by forced supination-adduction of the foot.

Associated Persons

Léon Clément Le Fort (1829–1893)
William Warwick Wagstaffe (Sr) (1843-1910)

Alternative names

Wagstaffe-Le Fort Fracture
Le Fort-Wagstaffe Fracture
Wagstaffe Ankle Fracture
Le Fort Ankle Fracture

References

Wagstaffe W. An unusual form of fracture of the fibula. St Thomas Hosp Rep. 1875;6:43-49
Le Fort LC. Note sur une variété non decrite de fracture verticale de la malleole externe par arrachement. Bull Gen Ther. 1886; 110:193-199 [Note on an undescribed variety of vertical fracture of the lateral malleolus by avulsion.]
Park JW, Kim SK, Hong JS, Park JH. Anterior tibiofibular ligament avulsion fracture in weber type B lateral malleolar fracture. J Trauma. 2002 Apr;52(4):655-9. [PMID 11956378]