Functional outcome analysis of operatively treated malleolar fractures.
OBJECTIVE
Assessment of functional outcome after malleolar fractures.


METHODS
Retrospective call-back review of 40 patients who agreed to assessment 8-24 months after malleolar fractures.


METHODS
Acute care hospital/Level 1 trauma center with university-based orthopaedic residency. PTS/PARTICIPANTS: 1) 10 skeletally mature patients who agreed to a telephone request to return for review 8-24 months after isolated malleolar fractures (36 44B2.2, 3 44A2.3, 1 44C2.2). All had healed without apparent complications. 2) Control group of 40 age matched healthy individuals without ankle problems.


METHODS
ORIF with standard AO/ASIF techniques.


METHODS
Ankle score of Olerud and Molander, UCLA Activity Score, Pedometer count of average number of steps per day.


RESULTS
Patients had a mean Ankle Score of 72 (+/-19.3) vs. 100 (+/-0) for controls (p < .01). The UCLA Activity Score averaged 6.0 (+/-1.95) for the patients vs. a mean of 9.43 (+/-1.0) for controls (p < .01). Patients took an average of 4,838 steps per day (+/-3,252) vs an average of 7,607 steps per day (+/-2,859) by controls (p < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Significant impaired function persists for most patients 8-24 months after malleolar fractures.
Belcher
G L
GL
Department of Orthopaedics, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence 02903, USA.
Radomisli
T E
TE
Abate
J A
JA
Stabile
L A
LA
Trafton
P G
PG
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000293:injuries*