Functional outcome after surgical treatment of ankle fracture using Baird Jackson score

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Ankle fractures have been identified as a significant source of morbidity for both the young and the elderly. In this study we aim to evaluate the functional outcome of patients who were operated for ankle fracture at our centre and to assess the factors associated with the functional outcome.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> An observational study in the Department of Orthopedics, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka from January 1, 2017 till December 31, 2017 of all patients who presented with any type of ankle malleolar fracture and underwent surgery were included in the study. Clinical history, socio-demographic profile, anatomic classification and Weber’s classification was noted for all patients. Functional outcome was evaluated 6 months post-operatively using the Baird Jackson scale and factors associated were assessed.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> During the study period 84 patients were enrolled in the study, mean age was 43.8±5.46 years and 48 were male patients. Supination external rotation was the most commonly seen injury in our patient population. Postoperatively, superficial skin infections were seen in 15% and restricted ankle movement in 11% patients. According to the Baird and Jackson score, clinical functional outcome was excellent in 17 cases, good in 47, fair in 15 and poor in 5 patients. Patients aged less than 45 years and supination external rotation injuries were significantly associated with excellent and good functional outcomes as compared to patients of older age.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Surgical treatment resulted in excellent to good functional outcome in majority of the patients of this study. Further research is required to assess the clinical and functional outcomes in patients with long term follow up. </p>