The cause is usually a twisting of the ankle when tripping or slipping, falls with rotation when skiing, falls from a great height, as well as traffic accidents and the effects of a direct impact. That is to say a traumatic injury caused by an accident. Depending on the severity and exact position of the break, surgery and/or the wearing of a plaster cast is needed.

The most conspicuous symptoms of this injury are pronounced pain on movement, e.g. during rollover movements of the foot, progressive swelling and skin discolouration around the ankle. Malposition of the foot and even open fractures where bony fragments pierce the skin with complete loss of function of the foot are possible.