Ankle fractures still remain a significant issue in bone and joint trauma surgery that has not yet been adequately resolved. The history of treatment of these fractures is interesting and it is no wonder that it has been the subject of many studies [1–8]. The first detailed historical overview was published by Astley Paston Cooper Ashhurst (1876–1932) in 1922 [1]. This valuable resource was most probably used by Niels Lauge (later known as Lauge-Hansen) (1899–1973) in 1948 [5] and also by Josiah Grant Bonnin (1909–1989) in 1950 [8]. Lauge’s treatise was the most detailed historical study at that time to focus on ankle fractures, a large part of which was later used by Bernhard Georg Weber (1927–2002) in his book “Die Verletzungen des oberen Sprunggelenkes” [9]. Although it may seem that there is nothing to add to this mosaic of historical study, it is not quite true. The facts presented are not always accurate and differences of interpretation may also be found. Depending on each author’s perspective, certain information may have been highlighted or alternatively neglected. Now and then a newly traced fragment of information may be added to the mix [2–4, 7] and thereby present a modified view of the history of ankle fractures. This current historical review focuses on several aspects of the history of posterior malleolar fractures, including the role of radiology, classifications of these fractures, and their operative treatment.

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