Fracture of the distal end of the fibula through a persistent physis in an adult with fracture of the medial malleolus.

A 26-year-old woman was injured in a motor vehicle accident and sustained a bimalleolar fracture of the right ankle. Radiographs revealed a shearing fracture of the medial malleolus and a gap in the distal end of the right fibula that resembled epiphysiolysis in children. Fracture of the distal end of the fibula through a persistent physis was suspected. Histological examination of material obtained from the fracture site during surgery revealed remnants of hyaline cartilage. We believe that the fracture occurred at a persistent physis of the distal end of the fibula.