ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effects of a deep deltoid ligament injury on postoperative ankle function and pain in patients with pronation-external rotation ankle fractures.Methods:Thirty patients with pronation-external rotation ankle fractures without deep deltoid ligament injury admitted to Weihai Municipal Hospital from March 2019 to March 2020 were included in the control group. Thirty patients with pronation-external rotation ankle fractures with deep deltoid ligament injury admitted to the same hospital from April 2020 to June 2021 were included in the observation group. Both groups received reduction and internal fixation of pronation-external rotation ankle fractures. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, pain, and quality of life were compared between the two groups.Results:At 1 and 3 months after surgery, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores in the observation group were (69.87 ± 2.89) points and (75.66 ± 4.27) points, which were significantly lower than (81.45 ± 4.78) points, and (93.62 ± 3.54) points in the control group ( t = 11.35, 17.37, both P < 0.01). At 1 and 3 months after surgery, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores in the observation group were (7.16 ± 1.15) points and (5.84 ± 0.52) points, respectively, which were significantly higher than (6.42 ± 0.54) points and (4.28 ± 0.16) points in the control group ( t = 3.19, 15.70, both P < 0.05). At 3 months after surgery, the scores of physical health, mental health, social relationship, and surrounding environment in the observation group were (19.18 ± 1.96) points, (18.67 ± 1.82) points, (17.42 ± 2.54) points, (19.65 ± 2.43) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than (21.65 ± 3.58) points, (23.57 ± 3.56) points, (20.09 ± 3.95) points, (22.38 ± 3.67) points in the control group ( t = 3.31, 6.71, 3.11, 3.39, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Deep deltoid ligament injury affects the recovery of pronation-external rotation ankle fracture and affects the quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to repair deep deltoid ligament injury in time in patients with pronation-external rotation ankle fractures.