PGI doctor names novel ankle fracture

Dr Sandeep Patel, Associate Professor at the Department of Orthopaedics, PGIMER, has described a novel fracture around the ankle, now termed the Patel-Sharma Fracture Fragment. This pioneering work has been published in the prestigious Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery Case Connector.

The Patel-Sharma fracture involves a fibular-sided avulsion of the Posterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament (PITFL), a unique injury pattern not previously recognised in orthopaedic literature. It is the first named fracture attributed to an Indian orthopaedic surgeon, bringing global recognition to PGIMER’s research excellence.

In the past year, Dr Patel has also introduced two novel classification systems, Patel-Dhillon Classification and FABER Classification. Patel-Dhillon Classification is a new system for Chaput fractures (anterior malleolus fractures), aiding in better assessment and management of these injuries. FABER Classification is a pioneering classification for trimalleolar fracture variants, improving understanding and treatment approaches.

His work is expected to significantly impact the diagnosis and treatment of ankle fractures worldwide.