A retrospective study of functional outcome of surgically managed malleolar fracture at the ankle joint by subjective, objective and radiological assessment

Author(s): Dr. Guru Prasad Sultanpurkar, Dr. Kadimi Haranadh, Dr. K. Harsha Vikram and Dr. Harshavardhan Raorane

Abstract: Objective: To study the functional outcome of surgically managed malleolar fractures at ankle and to assess the results of complication. Introduction: Ankle fracture is a common injury with potentially significant morbidity associated with it. Regardless of the method of the intervention, main goal is to restore normal anatomy. Complications associated with both conservative and operative management are an important consideration in decision making. Patient selection is very important in deciding the type of management. This paper provides an update to surgical management of ankle fractures. Methodology: Medical records of 96 patients were studied and data was collected which includes the demographic data, fracture details, intraoperative and postoperative details. Then patients were called up for follow-up. The functional outcome of these patients was assessed subjectively using OLERUD MOLANDER ANKLE SCORE (OMA) score. Objective and radiological outcome was assessed using cedell’s criteria. Results: Among the 96 patients we achieved excellent and good subjective results in 60 (62.5%) patients; Good objective result in 72 (75%) patients; Good radiographic results in 80 (83.4%) patients. In our study, patients with unimalleolar fractures had the best outcome. Trimalleolar fractures had the worst outcome. Bimalleolar fracture had intermediate outcome. With regards to lateral malleolar fracture fixation modality, patients with rush nail achieved good to fair radiological and objective outcome with no poor outcomes With regards to medial malleolar fracture fixation modality, patients with Tension band achieved good objective and radiological outcome and there were no poor outcomes. In patients with malleolar screw fixation 62.5 % patients achieved good objective and 75 % patients achieved good radiological outcome. Patients with complications has poorer outcome. In patients with superficial infection the outcome was poorer.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22271/ortho.2017.v3.i4g.63