Surgical versus conservative management of ankle fractures in diabetics

Abstract

Background: To assess the likelihood of complications when dealing with ankle fractures in individuals diagnosed with diabetes. Here, we present the outcomes of treating 20 patients who had sustained displaced malleolar fractures. Patients and Methods: between June 2022 and September 2022,20 patients having ankle fracture had been managed. Results: We classified treatment-related issues as minor or significant. A minor complication was defined as a superficial infection or necrosis at the wound's edge, whereas a significant complication included a profound infection, necrosis at the wound's edge, dehiscence requiring surgical intervention, amputation, malunion, or death. Cases of postoperative erythema that did not require treatment were omitted from our analysis. Conclusion: Diabetic individuals who sustain ankle fractures often face a significantly increased likelihood of encountering surgical complications. Particularly among older diabetic patients with lower activity levels, especially those reliant on insulin, it may be more advisable to accept less-than-optimal alignment and imperfect healing rather than exposing them to the potential serious complications associated with surgical procedures. In diabetic patients with displaced ankle fractures managed non-surgically, imperfect alignment and healing were common outcomes, but they typically resulted in minimal discomfort. In such situations, choosing non-operative treatment might be the preferred approach due to the substantial risks associated with surgical interventions and the willingness of older patients with less active lifestyles to tolerate less-than-ideal alignment.