What is a Weber Ankle Fracture? | What they are, Key things to know, and How they are managed!

In this educational video we take you through the Weber Ankle fracture classification using our 3D anatomy model, discuss how they are each managed orthopedically and give you some top physio tips that you can use in practice.
References:
*Qiu, H. B., Jiang, J., & Porter, D. (2017). A New Intraoperative Syndesmosis Instability Classification System: Utility and Medium-term Results in Closed Displaced Ankle Fractures. Orthopaedic surgery, 9(4), 365-371.
*Delco, Michelle & Kennedy, John & Bonassar, Lawrence & Fortier, Lisa. (2016). Post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the ankle: A distinct clinical entity requiring new research approaches: Investigating Ankle PTOA. Journal of Orthopaedic Research.
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[@julesrichards9202]

I have a Weber A fracture and this is the best explanation on the web! Thank you!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

You're very welcome! Good luck in your recovery Jules!

[@willgarland9485]

As a soon to graduate physio and someone moving into a static band 5 MSK position, I can't thank you enough for the time and dedication in putting your library of videos together, you have been an immense adjunct to traditional university studies thank you sir

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Will! Thank you so much for your kind words! It’s an absolute pleasure to run this channel and to hear we have been able to help people just like you is a true privilege!

[@raphaelmataka2730]

Receive my huge respect for such brilliant elaboration

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you so much!

[@kernel1kadafi]

Fantastic video, one of the most informative and well broken down videos! I have a weber b spiral fracture of the fibula! At first the surgeons decided i needed surgery now they decided against surgery! I am at weight bearing phase at 8weeks! Any tips? Advice

[@beckerbarr]

Fantastic. So clear and helpful. Brilliant tips.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@bogman7474711]

Thank you, you've just totally explained why I need surgery and why im having such a long recovery. I have a Weber C facture and tendon tear. My ankle was totally dislocated 90° right during a hiking accident. Finally someone who can explain it

[@ClinicalPhysio]

🙏🏼 wishing you all the best in your recovery

[@bogman7474711]

​thank you@@ClinicalPhysio

[@Rells26]

The best explanation on KZbin

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you so much! Very kind of you!

[@leeterryberry2563]

Thank you, this is very informative, clear and helpful.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@fortunesa83]

I'm there weeks post Weber c trimalleolar on my right ankle. And have the month old infant! Things are interesting to say the least. I'm so thankful the baby isn't mobile yet and I can't wait to return to walking!!

[@vasileiospetropoulos2046]

Really great and useful top! Well done!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Efschiaristou!!

[@nic2387]

Great info and tips, thank you! 🙏☺️

[@ClinicalPhysio]

You are very welcome!

[@danesha4705]

Awesome as always

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you so much!!

[@CloudyWishes]

Thanks for a clear explanation.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

You’re very welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@jasminetorres8570]

thank you for the information!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Any time!

[@fabioluislourenco]

💯 excelent content, as usual!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you so much!!

[@paulkibenge4819]

Very well explained video.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you so much!

[@Frank-xy9lv]

great summary

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank you so much!

[@numby1698]

Thank you for the wonderful information you may be the only one who points bloody dorsiflexion difficulties for the patients been told to do just one or two move, obviously just two moves are not enough most of us see very small improvement. Can this improvisation be achieved at home with some alternative exercises and how long one must do per day if we have no chance to access proper phsio therapy? What needs to be checked in terms of film scan etc in order to dorsiflex to recover if we access the phsio therapist? Who does the soft tissue damage- stickiness-stiffness check up except from the op and post op drs?

[@MaxxAvicii]

Great video very informative and helpful. I’m 2 weeks into a Weber A fracture, still painful and struggle to wiggle my toes or point my foot forward but hopefully all we be good in time

[@ClinicalPhysio]

I hope so! Wishing you all the best!

[@blackydon]

Great video. I have a Webber B fracture on the left ankle and after 8 weeks am fine. I had a boot and was lucky that I could put a little weight on it to walk. I am very grateful to the medical staff whom helped my recovery. I did get a DVT because of the fracture but I’m ok as I’m on blood thinners.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 Wishing you all the very best!

[@jenniferprozzillo5465]

Thank you for such an informative video!! I suffered a Weber A fracture on Christmas Day along with a 5th metatarsal and navicular bone fracture. I too developed a DVT by day 4. I’m presently using a bone growth stimulator. How long were you in PT? Do you feel like your ankle is stable now?

[@ButterflyLullabyLtd]

I hope you have no pain after a year? Thanks for sharing. 🦶❣️

[@blackydon]

@@ButterflyLullabyLtd No pain and back to normal. Thanks.

[@sizzleslider4334]

Great video, extremely well presented. I am currently 6 months post brake of my ankle, where I sustained a B type break. My pain was getting worse so my physio recommended I go back to the doctor and ask about getting an xray and ultra sound. Discovered the bone is still completely fractured.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

I’m so sorry to hear that my friend - hope you can get some answers and a plan going forward

[@colingomezcristobalariel1172]

How it progressed my friend , Currently I am with a Weber B but no pain and , any advice?

[@anthonyhaines496]

Did you get surgery initially? I had a type B break, but the talar shift was around 3mm so they said my medial deltoid ligament was torn as well. I had a plate put on the bone 8 weeks ago and i'm walking, but i'm always concerned that it will break again.

[@katzche]

Interesting, have Weber C, 3 weeks after plate and pins, I'm up on both feet and gingerly walking around the house. Did stairs at 4 weeks. No equipment. My ligaments as mentioned in the video did not seem torn as I had minimal pain. Being LMT, I totally agreed, delayed weight bearing extends healing. Thank you!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Wishing you all the best!

[@katzche]

@@ClinicalPhysio xray on Monday, I'm all done. No PT no eqipment. Thanks so much!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

@@katzche 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@nipunfernando6689]

Are you fully recovered now? I got the same yesterday.

[@peterellison2220]

did you have another surgery to remove the hardware? I won't be bearing weight for 3 months until my surgeron removes the screws and plates

[@ilovestrawberries3395]

Great Thank you!!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Thank YOU for your support!

[@angelikagerdes4442]

Thank you for that iformativ video, now I can understand my Weber B fractur. Can you explain, how a Syndesmotic band can heal without the positionsscrew, which was taken out after 8 weeks of the fracture? Or can I get to be used do without the syndesmotic band and do Zumba in about 6 month after the fracture? I am 60 years old and without osteoporosis.

[@ionelamarinau]

you are a saver I have weber C within my placement tomorrow and every day before I leave I take note of injuries which I have next day

[@ClinicalPhysio]

🙏🏼 wishing you all the best

[@ionelamarinau]

@@ClinicalPhysio thanks a tone so means no rehab for Weber C will be surgery ? As it’s a referral from fracture clinic to Msk outpatient in Nhs

[@jockjammer3443]

Thank you! currently healing from a weber C and my dr.s have told me very little.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Wishing you all the very best!

[@lucioramani873]

Thanks for this good information. I had a c fracture on my ancle both sides and surgery 3 month ago, I got a plate and 9 screws, I had a plaster for 8 (!) weeks and no weight put on the foot. the doctors told me NOTHING about it... still can hardly walk.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

So sorry to hear that Lucio - wishing you all the very best

[@rohallahhaidari2968]

Amazing video Khalid! Thanks 🙏 I had a surgery for my Weber b non-displaced fracture. After 3 weeks I still hear a small sound/space between the talus and tibia when I jab at it. But when I jab at my uninjured heel it feels very locked. Will this space will always be there?

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Hi! This is a question for your surgeon. They have operated on your ankle and will be able to answer far more confidently than I will

[@vanishingpoint2658]

I have a Weber A fracture (due to an ankle roll) and was relieved and interested to hear your ccount of the details, and recovery method, and prognosis. Thank you.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Sorry to hear that but wishing you all the best with it

[@DelightfulSpatula]

Very good information! I had a weber B stable fracture with a very very light displacement, i was told i didnt need the surgery and was put on aircast/NWB for 6 weeks, we did 3 xray within that time frame, after 6 weeks i was advised go WB and started PT, on my 11th weeks, the bone did not have any healing, we did a CT and it was a spiral through and through break, i did my surgery 5 weeks ago which was approx 12.5 weeks post injury, i was gutted, one plate 7 screws, so im hoping when my cast is off on 8sept there is really healing now, im so done with this injury.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Wishing you all the best my friend!

[@katzche]

Hope you are on the mend

[@ClinicalPhysio]

@@katzche 🙏🏼

[@dancetilldawn484]

I have a Weber B mildly displaced oblique fracture of the distal fibular at the snydesmosis level. At 22 days in I'm in a Ortho boot putting weight on it it's still swollen and a piece of my bone is jagged and it's still kind of sticking out and the surgeon said they'll probably be a bump there I'm just wondering is this going to heal and isn't it too early for me to be walking in a Maxtrax airwalker tall boot she says I can drive I don't feel stable I sleep with it on I only take it off to shower and I've been sponge bathing to cut down on taking showers and standing on it without the boot support.

[@katzche]

@@dancetilldawn484 Sorry, I understand your concern. I am still swollen also. MY surgery was in September of 2022. I assumed, being confident in my MD, that I would heal and I did. I think you need to bring this back to your doctor. We are all different, and at 3 weeks I was very uncertain about getting around too. Maybe the PT here can provide some insight into the bone kinda sticking out. Can't respond to that. Good Luck! Second opinions are available, easier with insurance.

[@Bluemoonfarm17]

I think my fracture would be considered a Weber A fracture? The fibula had an oblique fracture starting at the bottom and moving upwards (I got bucked off a horse and landed on my right foot, the ankle did not collapse, stayed straight up and down like a pile driver). I was in a cast and crutches for 3 weeks, then the ortho told me to stay in a walking boot for 3 weeks, but I’m having too much hip pain with that after 2 weeks so I’ve moved on to a lace up brace instead. I’m still having significant swelling of the entire calf and ankle once I’ve been on my feet for a while. Is this something I should be concerned about? Other than that I’m getting around fairly well now and don’t have a lot of pain anymore. Thank you for this very informative video. This is the best one I’ve found about this type of fracture.

[@user-ff3pt4bt7y]

I've heard that the swelling after the first 4-6 weeks can be ongoing for the next 3-6 months so I would not say it's sth concerning, If you are able to walk after 6 weeks with not a lot of pain you are good brother!! The doc put me in a bott yesterday after 3 weeks of wearing a cast, do you have any tips for the healing process?

[@anthonyoliver2424]

Hey I have a Bimalleolar Equivalent ankle fracture, Weber b distal fibula fracture. The orthopedic doctor said I tore my Deltoid ligament but I don't have any pain on the inside of my ankle wondering if I should get a second opinion. He said that Had I not torn the deltoid ligament I wouldn't need surgery. But we only did XRay so I'm confused how he can be certain it's torn.

[@jiyoungkong7962]

I had surgery done due to weber C Stage 4 fracture. 3different opinions on weightbearing starts 6 weeks without removing the screw(follow up Ortho doctor) , 12 weeks after removal of the syndesmosis screw(my surgeon). which one is right?

[@mohammedtanzil2810]

sir iam suffer with drosi fluction block recently my fibula was crack, when i use down stairs mostly

[@shyamallrounder]

Sir I am From India Just i watching your video Trans syndesmotic fracture of the left lateral malleous is noted ( Weber type -B) Does i need surgery, I have no pain in my ankle, can walk some Please reply

[@JenaCoxwainPhil]

As i type i am lying on my bed with Webber B talar shift. Had a surgery 8 days ago. Any tips to quick recovery.

[@pavitraamurgaya479]

Hi Dr... I had a lateral malleolus fracture weber A... Going to 6 weeks on fibrecast.. No need surgery... The bone healing well.. The dr wants to remove my cast and start physio... I want to wear cam boot while on physio... Which length should I choose long or short boot..? Please advice me... And your video is superb explanation.. I understand well.. Thank you Doc...

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Hi! Please have this conversation with your local Dr, it’s much more important that they give you this advice based on the fact that they have been able to assess your fracture

[@user-ff3pt4bt7y]

How have you been? I broke my lateral malleolus and after 3 weeks doc put me in a boot, do you have anything to say to me to keep in mind or any tips for the healing process?

[@kennyla4060]

I’ve just had a fibulae spiral fracture Weber c, they have isolated my leg in a cast but said surgery won’t be needed? Do you know roughly how long it will take to heal? Or when I can be walking on it again

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Hi! Very difficult to tell from not knowing your case I’m afraid - what did your Orthopaedic team say for these questions? Wish you all the best with it

[@piecetoyou8285]

My lateral Malleolus the (Weber A fracture) was unable to be replaced back as it never retaken after so many months in a boot, Had to be removed then had hooks or something like that to attach the tendons , have you got a video on this as all vids show it being reattached I also think its worth mentioning I caught a blood clot in the lungs due to not being given blood thinning tablets t the time, then had to inject my self for a few months to break dissolve the clots

[@ClinicalPhysio]

So sorry to hear about your troubles my friend , hope you are doing Ok I’m afraid we don’t have a video as you mentioned

[@zzzck]

Can you tell which fracture; high or low looking at MRI? Initially multiple X-ray did not show any fracture. MRI after two months shows effusion, a moderate to large joint effusion of the tibiotalar joint from the radiologist report.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Yes an MRI would be able to detect a fracture and which fracture it is

[@Simurghh]

Talar shift it always visible clearly on the x ray?or can be missed?

[@ClinicalPhysio]

As always, these things can sometimes be missed but ultimately we do aim to see this on XR

[@prakashbasnet439]

I have C type break. But my doctor said no surgery needed. Is it will be fine with cast..for 8 weeks..?

[@neerajsinha-xs8sy]

How is it now? I also have Webber C unfortunately

[@luttumukela6669]

Am recovering from a broken ankle (lateral malleous) though did not have surgery because it had minimal displacement. I have was in a cast for 9weeks,it was removed a week ago. Been experiencing a sharp excruciating pain on the heel when doing partial weight bearing. Wjat could be causing it?

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Hi! I would definitely recommend seeing your physiotherapist for this so that you can be assessed properly

[@luttumukela6669]

@@ClinicalPhysio thank you

[@bronwynbrown5335]

Hi I have a Weber B fracture and was told it's healing my cast wast taken off one day ago and was told I should try and walk gradually on foot..my check up is in three weeks time will do another x-ray and was told if it does not look good they will operate...i had my cast on since second of December and had no surgery...is this the right process I need and answer please..and will I be able to walk properly even if I didn't have surgery... please I need answers.🙏

[@ClinicalPhysio]

PLEASE never take answers from people from the internet about this!!! The most important people to discuss this with are the doctors and therapists who can see your ankle and your x-rays!! It would be totally wrong and unprofessional of me to give you advice about your injury in this way 🙏🏼

[@deedeerickman3344]

I have a Weber A fracture, after 6 weeks it is no where near healing. The hospital has taken the cast off and has given me a boot to wear for another 4 weeks. What usually happens next in these circumstances ?

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Hi Dee Dee, no doubt your orthopaedic team will keep an eye on things and will check how things go with your XR’s. I would imagine they will re-XR in 4 weeks time after using the boot to check your healing process in order to make decisions with you. What those decisions are will depend on many factors… keep going?

[@deedeerickman3344]

@@ClinicalPhysio thank you for your quick reply. I hope it heals soon. 🤞🏼

[@ManishKumar-uy4sz]

Hello..I have same situation(weber A fracture )..after one month, my cast was removed but there is a gap clearly visible..they put me on boot...what is expected now?

[@user-ff3pt4bt7y]

​@@ManishKumar-uy4szwhat gap?

[@berg6964]

10 days into a Weber b, waiting to see if need surgery.

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Wishing you all the very best!

[@jack0castle245]

Just here researching my own injury Weber b it's 2 days old they say they waiting for swelling to go down I could see something in the tibia as well hope I'm wrong 😅

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Wishing you all the best 🙏🏼

[@jack0castle245]

@@ClinicalPhysio you were saying I can walk on it or should I wait the week till they x-ray again

[@ClinicalPhysio]

@@jack0castle245 this is a question you need to ask your orthopaedic team my friend

[@jack0castle245]

I'll do a backflip on the way in

[@thomasfrench4721]

I had a Weber C fracture before and I didn't require surgery

[@ClinicalPhysio]

Hope you are doing well!

[@dianafutol]

I have Weber C. But I don't want to undergo surgery. What will happen to my feet because I only used cast. Is it true that my feet will become tilted?

[@prakashbasnet439]

Same case mine....i am on cast for 6 weeks...

[@Filo6863]

I had webber C fracture, no surgery, just a boot

[@sepherinaallard7584]

WHY DOES YOUR ANKLE CLICK POST SURGERY.. 10 MONTHS POST SURGERY 😢😢

[@tommydevine9993]

Talar Shift is the less popular cousin of Taylor Swift 😂

[@ClinicalPhysio]

😂

[@tommydevine9993]

@@ClinicalPhysio great video btw!

[@ClinicalPhysio]

@@tommydevine9993 thank you!

[@philiplow6016]

Pabst Blue Ribbon