Functional outcome of surgery for fractures of the ankle.
BACKGROUND
Ankle fractures are a common injury treated in New Zealand with variable functional outcomes.


METHODS
Details of all patients undergoing operative fixation of malleolar fractures at Hutt Hospital were obtained from theatre databases for a 12-month period. These patients were then followed up after 1 year for clinical review and asked to complete a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Sixty-two patients enrolled in the study: 27 men and 35 women. Average OMA score 16 months after surgery of 79.4. Weber A fractures averaged ankle function score 90.0, Weber B fractures 80.8, and Weber C fractures 76.3. Two patients (3%) reported 'poor' results, 11 (18%) reported 'fair' results, 29 (47%) gained 'good' results, and 20 (32%) attained 'excellent' results. Functional outcome was worse in the elderly.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients who sustain ankle fractures have significant functional impairment even after 1 year.
Winters
Keith
K
Department of Surgery, Hutt Hospital, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. keithandsarah_winters@hotmail.com
D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult