Epidemiology of ankle fracture 1950 and 1980. Increasing incidence in elderly women.

During 1980-82, 739 ankle fractures occurred in Malmö. These were compared with 383 ankle fractures occurring in 1950-52. In men there was an increase in the age-specific incidence up to the age of 60, especially in fractures of the lateral malleolus. In women there was an increase in the age-specific incidence above the age of 50, both in lateral malleolar fractures and, even more pronounced, in bi- and tri- malleolar fractures.