Maisonneuve Fracture

Other Known Aliases – none

Definition – spiral fracture of the proximal third of the fibula caused by pronation with external rotation

Clinical Significance – This injury is a sequelae of significant ankle trauma with disruption of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis and can be unstable.  It is also one of the criteria of the Ottawa Rules of the Ankle so you don’t miss these

History – Named after Jules Germain François Maisonneuve (1809-1897), a French surgeon who studied under Guillaume Dupuytren in the mid-1800s.  He first reported this injury pattern in 1840 in the article entitled Recherches sur la fracture du Péroné.  He was also the first surgeon to advocate the use of external fixation in the management of ankle fractures

References

1. Firkin BG and Whitwirth JA.  Dictionary of Medical Eponyms. 2nd ed.  New York, NY; Parthenon Publishing Group. 1996.
2. Bartolucci S, Forbis P.  Stedman’s Medical Eponyms.  2nd ed.  Baltimore, MD; LWW.  2005.
3. Yee AJ, Pfiffner P. (2012).  Medical Eponyms (Version 1.4.2) [Mobile Application Software].  Retrieved http://itunes.apple.com.
4. Whonamedit – dictionary of medical eponyms. http://www.whonamedit.com
5. Up To Date. www.uptodate.com
6. Maisonneuve, J. G. (1840). Recherches sur la fracture du péroné. Paris. France: Loquin & Cie.