title: Ankle fractures: functional and lifestyle outcomes at 2 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ankle fractures form a high proportion of the total number of fractures treated in New Zealand. International studies show that there are mixed functional outcomes with differing fracture types and subsequently differing lifestyle outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fracture clinic records and orthopaedic admissions books for Wellington Public Hospital, Capital Coast Health, -Wellington, were retrospectively reviewed to gain a population of patients who sustained ankle fractures for the period January--December 1998. These patients were asked to fill in postal questionnaires detailing their current ankle function and lifestyle, two years after fracturing their ankle. The patients' radiographs were reviewed to classify the types of ankle fractures sustained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 141 patients that sustained ankle fractures, 74 were followed up 2 years after their ankle fracture. All fracture types averaged Olerud-Molander ankle scores of 71.1. Weber A fractures averaged ankle function scores of 90, Weber B fractures 80, and Weber C fractures 78. Four patients (5%) achieved 'poor' results, 12 (16%) patients achieved a 'fair' result, 30 (41%) patients gained a 'good' result, 27 (36%) patients attained 'excellent' results. Lifestyle outcomes were reflected in the patient's ankle function outcomes (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who sustain ankle fractures can be expected to be still experiencing functional difficulties two years post-treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Wellington School of Medicine, Otago University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lash
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horne
authors.forename: Jann
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fielden
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devane
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome