To assess the clinical outcome of ankle fractures with regards to the demographic variables and the quality of reduction of the fractures

Abstract

Background: Ankle fractures are among the most common injuries. Severe injury combined with inadequate or inappropriate treatment can lead to severe complications and major disability. As a result, early treatment without delay, anatomical reduction and fracture fixation, stringent postoperative mobilization and rehabilitation should help improve outcome in an operated ankle fracture. Materials and Methods: A total of fourty five patients with the ankle fractures admitted from June 2015 to February 2016 under Department of Orthopaedics, were included in the study. Results: The most common mode of injury was road traffic accidents. The most common modality of fixation for the lateral malleolus was 1/3rd tubular plate, and for the medial malleolus was with 4 mm cannulated cancellous screws with washers. The patients were reviewed at three and six months postoperatively. There was a statistically significant improvement in the subjective assessment of pain and activity levels from 3 months post-op to 6 months post-op. Conclusion: Early treatment without delay, anatomical reduction and fracture fixation, stringent postoperative mobilization and rehabilitation should help improve outcome in an operated ankle fracture.