Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life After Ankle Fracture Surgically Treated: A Systematic Review.
BACKGROUND
Ankle fractures (AFs) are the most common fractures of the lower limbs found in emergency services. Approximately 53% of these fractures are unstable and treated surgically.


OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review evaluating functional outcomes and quality of life of patients with AFs surgically treated.


METHODS
A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Five electronic databases were searched, without any limit on publication dates. Only patients with an unstable AF that was surgically treated were included; functional outcomes and the quality of life were controlled by the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey instrument.


RESULTS
Five studies were included in the analysis, including 267 patients. The values of the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale ranged between a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 points. Patients with surgically treated AF reported less functionality and physical capacity compared with the nonfractured population. Some patients experienced vitality, emotional, and mental health limitations for a long period. Most surgically treated patients reported no pain and a good health and social status.


CONCLUSIONS
Limitations in functionality and physical capacity represent the main threats to health-related quality of life in patients with surgically treated AFs.
Viviane
V
Ribeiro de Ávila
Teresa
T
Bento
Wellington
W
Gomes
José
J
Leitão
Nelson
N
Fortuna de Sousa
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D064386:Ankle Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D010146:Pain; D011788:Quality of Life
SF-36; functionality; lower limbs; physical capacity