Crus fracture
Fracture of the lower leg bones: tibia and/or fibula.
A crus fracture is a break in one or both of the lower leg bones: the tibia and the fibula. Tibia fractures include the pilon fracture, tibial plateau fracture, and tibia shaft fracture. Specific types are the bumper fracture (a break of the lateral tibial plateau from a forced valgus force to the knee), the Segond fracture (an avulsion fracture of the lateral tibial condyle), the Gosselin fracture (a fracture of the tibial plafond split into anterior and posterior pieces), and the toddler's fracture (an undisplaced spiral break in the distal third to distal half of the tibia). Fibular fractures include the Maisonneuve fracture (a spiral break in the proximal third of the fibula with a tear of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis and interosseous membrane), the Le Fort fracture of the ankle (a vertical break of the antero-medial part of the distal fibula with avulsion of the anterior tibiofibular ligament), the Bosworth fracture (a break with a fixed posterior dislocation of the proximal fibular fragment trapped behind the posterior tibial tubercle, caused by severe external rotation of the ankle), and the Volkmann's or Earle's fracture (a break of the postero-lateral rim of the distal tibia). A combined tibia and fibula fracture, often called a tib-fib fracture, involves both bones of the same leg from the same incident. In 78% of cases, a fibular fracture accompanies a tibial fracture, as the fibula is smaller and weaker, so a force strong enough to break the tibia often breaks the fibula as well. Types include the trimalleolar fracture (involving the lateral malleolus, medial malleolus, and distal posterior aspect of the tibia), the bimalleolar fracture (involving the lateral and medial malleoli), and Pott's fracture, an older term loosely used for various bimalleolar ankle fractures.
- field
- Orthopedic medicine
- known_for
- Classification of lower leg bone fractures
- types
- Tibia fractures, fibular fractures, combined tibia and fibula fractures
Lore & Background
The crus fracture category includes numerous named fractures of the tibia, such as the pilon fracture, tibial plateau fracture, tibial shaft fracture, bumper fracture (lateral tibial plateau from forced valgus), Segond fracture (avulsion of lateral tibial condyle), Gosselin fracture (tibial plafond into anterior and posterior fragments), and toddler's fracture (undisplaced spiral fracture of distal third to distal half of the tibia). Fibular fractures include the Maisonneuve fracture (spiral proximal third with syndesmosis and interosseous membrane tear), Le Fort fracture of ankle (vertical antero-medial distal fibula with avulsion of anterior tibiofibular ligament), Bosworth fracture (with fixed posterior dislocation of proximal fibular fragment trapped behind posterior tibial tubercle, caused by severe external rotation), and Volkmann's fracture or Earle's fracture (postero-lateral rim of distal tibia).
Reader's Guide
Crus fractures are significant in orthopedic medicine because they encompass a wide range of injury patterns affecting the lower leg, each with distinct mechanisms and treatment implications. The classification helps clinicians identify specific fracture types—such as the toddler's fracture in children or the Maisonneuve fracture involving syndesmotic injury—which guide management decisions. The article notes that in 78% of cases, a fibular fracture accompanies a tibial fracture, reflecting the biomechanical relationship between the two bones. Combined tibia and fibula fractures include trimalleolar, bimalleolar, and Pott's fracture (an archaic term for bimalleolar ankle fractures). Understanding these distinctions aids in accurate diagnosis and appropriate surgical or conservative treatment, reducing complications like malunion or post-traumatic arthritis.
Did You Know?
- A crus fracture can involve either or both the tibia and fibula.
- In 78% of cases, a fracture of the fibula is associated with a tibial fracture.
- The Bosworth fracture involves a fixed posterior dislocation of the proximal fibular fragment trapped behind the posterior tibial tubercle.
- Pott's fracture is an archaic term loosely applied to a variety of bimalleolar ankle fractures.
More in Bone fractures 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record