Proximal tibiofibular joint dislocation with Maisonneuve fracture and syndesmosis injury: A case report

Proximal tibiofibular joint dislocation with Maisonneuve fracture and syndesmosis injury: A case report

Authors

  • Marco Ganci Cannizzaro Hospital
  • Flora Maria Chiara Panvini Cannizzaro Hospital
  • Antonio Kory Cannizzaro Hospital
  • Rocco Ortuso Cannizzaro Hospital
  • Mirko sicurella Cannizzaro Hospital
  • Ignazio Prestianni Cannizzaro Hospital
  • Enrica Rosalia Cuffaro Cannizzaro Hospital
  • Alessio Ferrara Cannizzaro Hospital
  • Gianfranco Longo Cannizzaro Hospital
  • Giacomo Papotto Cannizzaro Hospital

Keywords:

maisonneuve fracture,tibiofibular joint dislocation, syndesmosis injury , knee pain , ankle injuries

Abstract

Background: Proximal tibiofibular joint dislocation, a seldom-reported injury often overshadowed in polytrauma cases, remains underexplored. This study presents an unusual case featuring a postero-lateral variant of proximal tibiofibular joint dislocation with additional associated lesions.

Case Presentation: A 66-year-old Italian male, post high-energy car collision, exhibited distinct common peroneal nerve palsy symptoms, revealing an atypical left Maisonneuve fracture with postero-lateral fibular dislocation and tibial mortise diastasis. Surgical intervention, post-stabilization, encompassed exploration and stabilization of the proximal tibiofibular joint and common peroneal nerve. Proximal joint stabilization with 2 cancellous screws and Maisonneuve fracture fixation with a plate followed, along with stabilization of tibial mortise diastasis using a plate and syndesmotic screws. Intra-operative fluoroscopy confirmed anatomical reduction, enabling partial progressive weight-bearing post-transyndesmotic screw removal.

Conclusion: Surgical intervention yielded positive outcomes, including full weight-bearing, pain relief, and restored nerve function at the 12-month follow-up, emphasizing the necessity of a comprehensive surgical approach for optimal recovery

References

1. Ellis C. A case of isolated proximal tibiofibular joint dislocation while snowboarding. Emerg Med J. 2003;20(6):563-4. doi: 10.1136/emj.20.6.563.

2. Hirschmann MT, Mauch C, Mueller C, Müller W, Friederich NF. Lateral ankle fracture with missed proximal tibiofibular joint instability (Maisonneuve injury). Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2008;16(10):952-6. doi: 10.1007/s00167-008-0597-8.

3. Bissuel T, Gaillard F, Dagneaux L, Canovas F. Maisonneuve equivalent injury with proximal tibiofibular joint dislocation: case report and literature review. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2017;56(2):404-7. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2016.10.003.

4. Van Seymortier P, Ryckaert A, Verdonk P, Almqvist KF, Verdonk R. Traumatic proximal tibiofibular dislocation. Am J Sports Med. 2008;36(4):793-8. doi: 10.1177/0363546507312162.

5. Ogden JA. The anatomy and function of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1974;(101):186-91. PMID: 4837930.

6. Espregueira-Mendes JD, da Silva MV. Anatomy of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2006;14(3):241-9. doi: 10.1007/s00167-005-0684-z.

7. Lyle HH. Traumatic luxation of the head of the fibula. Ann Surg. 1925;82(4):635-9. doi: 10.1097/00000658-192510010-00010.

8. Ogden JA. Subluxation and dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1974;56(1):145-54. PMID: 4812157.

9. Gabrion A, Vernois J, Havet E, Mertl P, De Lestang M. Luxation tibio-fibulaire proximale: témoin d'un traumatisme grave de la jambe et du genou [Dislocation of the proximal tibio-fibular joint due to severe leg and knee trauma]. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot. 2004;90(8):749-56. French. doi: 10.1016/s0035-1040(04)70755-2.

10. Kruckeberg BM, Cinque ME, Moatshe G, Marchetti D, DePhillipo NN, Chahla J, LaPrade RF. Proximal tibiofibular joint instability and treatment approaches: a systematic review of the literature. Arthroscopy. 2017;33(9):1743-51. doi: 10.1016/j.arthro.2017.03.027.

11. Nieuwe Weme RA, Somford MP, Schepers T. Proximal tibiofibular dislocation: a case report and review of literature. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr. 2014;9(3):185-9. doi: 10.1007/s11751-014-0209-8.

12. Andersen K. Dislocation of the superior tibiofibular joint. Injury. 1985;16(7):494-8. doi: 10.1016/0020-1383(85)90180-9.

13. Crothers OD, Johnson JT. Isolated acute dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1973;55(1):181-3. PMID: 4691656.

14. Sijbrandij S. Instability of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Acta Orthop Scand. 1978;49(6):621-6. doi: 10.3109/17453677808993250.

15. Ahmad R, Case R. Dislocation of the fibular head in an unusual sports injury: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2008;2:158. doi: 10.1186/1752-1947-2-158.

16. Turco VJ, Spinella AJ. Anterolateral dislocation of the head of the fibula in sports. Am J Sports Med. 1985;13(4):209-15. doi: 10.1177/036354658501300401.

17. Falkenberg P, Nygaard H. Isolated anterior dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1983;65(3):310-1. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.65B3.6841401.

18. Van den Bekerom MP, Weir A, van der Flier RE. Surgical stabilisation of the proximal tibiofibular joint using temporary fixation: a technical note. Acta Orthop Belg. 2004;70(6):604-8. PMID: 15669464.

19. Rajkumar P, Schmitgen GF. A new surgical treatment of an acute dislocation of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Int J Clin Pract. 2002;56(7):556-7. PMID: 12296623.

20. Oksum M, Randsborg PH. Treatment of instability of the proximal tibiofibular joint by dynamic internal fixation with a suture button. Arthrosc Tech. 2018;7(10):e1057-e1061. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2018.08.004.

21. Pavone V, Papotto G, Vescio A, Longo G, D'Amato S, Ganci M, Marchese E, Testa G. Short and middle functional outcome in the static vs. dynamic fixation of syndesmotic injuries in ankle fractures: a retrospective case series study. J Clin Med. 2023;12(11):3637. doi: 10.3390/jcm12113637.

22. Veth RP, Klasen HJ, Kingma LM. Traumatic instability of the proximal tibiofibular joint. Injury. 1981;13(2):159-64. doi: 10.1016/0020-1383(81)90052-8.

23. Baciu CC, Tudor A, Olaru I. Recurrent luxation of the superior tibio-fibular joint in the adult. Acta Orthop Scand. 1974;45(5):772-7. doi: 10.3109/17453677408989688.

24. Stufkens SA, van den Bekerom MP, Doornberg JN, van Dijk CN, Kloen P. Evidence-based treatment of maisonneuve fractures. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2011;50(1):62-7. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2010.08.017.

25. Wuest TK. Injuries to the distal lower extremity syndesmosis. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 1997;5(3):172-81. doi: 10.5435/00124635-199705000-00006.

26. Jung HG, Nicholson JJ, Parks B, Myerson MS. Radiographic and biomechanical support for fibular plating of the agility total ankle. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004;(424):118-24. doi: 10.1097/01.blo.0000132247.64290.b6.

27. Sreesobh KV, Cherian J. Traumatic dislocations of the proximal tibiofibular joint: a report of two cases. J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2009;17(1):109-11. doi: 10.1177/230949900901700124.

28.Coco, M., Ramaci, T., Sagone, E., Galati Sardo, M., Brachina, P., Buscemi, B., ... & Perciavalle, V. (2017). Brain and memory: A pilot study on the experience of rebirth and the present life quality of adult subjects. Acta Medica Mediterranea, 33, 901-904. doi: 10.19193/0393-6384_2017_6_143

29. Zeiton MA, Yassa R, Naseem H. Total fibula dislocation: a rare variant of a Bosworth fracture-dislocation injury. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2022;31:101920. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2022.101920.

Downloads

Published

23-06-2025

Issue

Section

CASE REPORTS

How to Cite

1.
Ganci M, Panvini FMC, Kory A, et al. Proximal tibiofibular joint dislocation with Maisonneuve fracture and syndesmosis injury: A case report. Acta Biomed. 2025;96(3):16180. doi:10.23750/abm.v96i3.16180