A study on functional outcome of surgically stabilised ankle fracture between diabetics and non diabetics in a tertiary care center

Abstract

Background: Retrospective observational study of Ankle fracture fixation at Department of orthopedics at Railway hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu during the period 2006-2012. Methods: Subjects are matched for age, sex, social factors and grouped into cases and controls based on diabetes. Out of total 74 traceable case details, 49 patients were studied in two groups as 27 non Diabetics and 22 diabetics. 1 patient in both the study groups was deceased and rest were lost to follow up or did not meet the inclusion criteria. Subjects were assessed clinically with Olerud Moleander score and complications were studied.Results: In the study population, the diabetics had lower objective functional score - Olerud Moleander score (p=0.046), but similar subjective functional score (P=0.17), elder mean age (P=0.004), similar sex distribution (P=0.38), similar distribution of fracture pattern (P=0.95), similar time delay to surgery (P=0.12), similar follow up duration (P=0.38), similar incidence of complications (P= 0.15) compared to non-Diabetics. Association of time delay to surgery and complications could not be established.Conclusion: In Patients with uncomplicated diabetes, following ankle fracture fixation, incidence of complications like arthritis & loss of fixation are marginally higher but not significant. (P=0.15). Regular follow up and screening for diabetes, reduce the incidence of complications among diabetics following ankle fracture fixation. Although the objective functional Olerud Moleander score was marginally less among diabetics (P=0.046), the subjective score was similar (P=0.17) in both groups.