Management of lateral malleolar fractures have gained a lot of attention in recent times. The restoration of proper tilt and length of the lateral malleolus has been a focus for much discussion.. However, there is a current paucity of literature on the contours of the lateral surface of the lateral malleolus as well as its length. The current study was undertaken by studying the contour of the lateral surface of lateral malleolus in antero-posterior and 15 degree internal rotation radiographs of twenty adult volunteers. Length of the lateral malleolus was measured from level of tibial plafond in these radiographs as well as in twenty cadaveric fibulae. This study has provided new data on the contour of the lateral surface of lateral malleolus as well as the fibular length. It is hoped that this will be helpful in designing of pre-contoured plates for lateral malleolar fractures. We also recommend the measurement of lateral fibular length in radiographs of opposite uninjured limb for assessment of restoration of lateral malleolar length.
