i too ended up with a trimalleolar fracture of the left ankle on sept 11, 2002. i have a spiral fracture of the distal fibula which was misaligned at a half shafts width. i was told it would have a plate on it, however when i awoke from surgery, they had only put a screw across the tib/fib malloelus and another with a pin vertically along the tibia malleolus. they told me it was to prevent a 15cm long scar on my leg. i have been non weight bearing for 6 weeks now, with no indication as to what happens next. in my personal opinion, a trimalleolar fracture is hideous and should be avoided at all costs *lol*