Functional assessment of surgically managed ankle fractures

Abstract

Background: Civilization has made man more prone to injuries. Ankle fractures are one of the most common injuries treated by orthopedic surgeons. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to assess the functional outcome in surgically managed ankle fractures. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients were included in this study with ankle fractures that were surgically treated at NIMS Hospital, Hyderabad. Observations: The study had a male preponderance of 66.6%, with road traffic accidents being the major cause of injury. Supination-external rotation was the most common mechanism of injury and Weber's type B fractures were the most common type of fracture. The associated fractures and injuries noted and the comorbidities seen in these patients have been enumerated. Open reduction and internal fixation under image intensifier control was done in all patients. Postoperatively, patients were immobilized with a plaster splint for a period of 3–6 weeks and were followed up with full weight-bearing walking and active range of movement of ankle exercises. The final outcome as per the Weber's radiological criteria was 66.6% good, 26.6% fair, and 6.8% poor result which showed a good correlation between the immediate postoperative radiological score and the final radiological outcome. The factors that affected the final poor outcome were late presentation, patients with fracture subluxation, post massaging, the presence of long-standing and uncontrolled diabetes, and old age. Conclusion: The present study suggests that anatomical reduction of the ankle fracture and restoration of the joint congruity at the earliest will give a good functional outcome. The postoperative immobilization in a plaster slab up to 3–6 weeks (depending on associated injuries, fracture severity, bone quality, quality of fixation, and patient compliance) does not affect the final outcome with respect to achieving the ankle and subtalar range of movements as most of the patients had achieved full range of motion at the end of 12 weeks.