Lauge Hansen SER Supination External Rotation (Eversion) Ankle Fracture

Supination–External Rotation (SER) Ankle Fracture

The video explains the four-stage progression of a Lauge-Hansen supination–external rotation ankle injury. It begins with the foot fixed in a supinated position while the leg rotates internally. As the injury progresses, the talus rotates laterally against the ankle structures.

Stages of Injury

1. Stage 1: Tension develops in the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament. The injury may cause a ligament tear or a small fracture of the distal lateral tibia, known as a Tillaux–Chaput fracture.
2. Stage 2: Continued rotation brings the talus into contact with the distal fibula, producing a spiral fracture of the fibula that begins around the level of the syndesmosis. The video identifies this as the most common ankle-fracture pattern and notes that a Wagstaffe fracture may also occur.
3. Stage 3: Further force may injure the posterior tibiofibular ligament or fracture the posterior malleolus, also called a Volkmann fracture.
4. Stage 4: The injury often progresses beyond Stage 3. Continued lateral rotation of the talus may tear the deltoid ligament complex or cause a transverse fracture of the medial malleolus.

Key Takeaways

• The injury begins on the lateral side of the ankle, at the fibula.
• The spiral fibular fracture characteristic of Stage 2 is a distinctive feature of supination–external rotation injuries.

Speaker or Source

• Unnamed narrator/educational voiceover — the only speaker indicated in the subtitles.