Functional outcome following surgical management of ankle fractures

Abstract

Background: The ankle fractures is one of the most common fractures, increasing in an ageing population, but not generally seen as an osteoporotic fracture. The purpose of this study is to assess the functional outcome following surgical management of ankle fractures. Methods: It is a prospective study which was carried out from November 2017 to May 2019 in Rajarajeshwari Medical College and hospital, Bangalore. In this study period 30 cases of ankle fractures, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using appropriate implants. Clinical history, socio-demographic profile, anatomic classification and Lauge-Hansen’s classification was noted for all patients. Baird and Jackson’s ankle scoring system of subjective, objective and radiographic criteria were used for the study. All the patients were evaluated and scores were given. Results: Average time taken for fracture healing was 9.97 weeks. Superficial infection of the wound was the most common complication in our study, seen in 3 patients, which healed uneventfully. We had good to excellent functional outcome results in 83.4% of the cases and fair results in 16.6% of cases. Conclusion: Good functional results are obtained by surgical management of bimalleolar ankle fractures. Early weight bearing and mobilisation is achieved in these patients. If a weight bearing joint like ankle is involved, Anatomical reduction with restoration of the articular congruence is essential in all intra articular fractures and open reduction and internal fixation restore the articular congruity of the ankle joint.