Ankle trauma.

Fractures and dislocations about the ankle joint are common injuries. The radiographic findings produced by these injuries are type-specific--that is, directly related to the mechanism that produced the injury. It is important for radiologists to recognize all of the aspects of a particular injury and to communicate this information to the orthopedic surgeon because treatment is predicated upon recognition of all the components of the injury. Treatment also depends upon restoration of anatomic contour to the articular surface of the ankle joint as well as to reestablishment of stability. Plain films, polydirectional tomography, CT, and MR imaging are useful for evaluating these abnormalities.