RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of Sizhi-Xifang in the improvement of postoperative ankle function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Jan. 2006 to Mar. 2008,49 patients were divided randomly into treatment group and control group. The treatment group included 16 males and 8 females with an average age of (41.3 +/- 13.2) years, involving 13 cases of tye A, 9 of type B and 2 of type C based on AO classification. The control group included 15 males and 10 females with an average age of (38.2 +/- 10.9) years, involving 12 cases of type A, 10 of type B, 3 of type C. Minimal invasive percutaneous plate were used in each group. In treatment group 24 cases were treated with Sizhi-Xifang after the incisions were healed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were no incision infections, flaps necrosis, bone and plate exposure after treatment in two groups. All patients were followed-up for 4 to 16 months with an average of 8.6 months. According to Johner-Wruhs evaluation standard, there were 7 cases in excellent, 12 good, 5 in fair in treatment group and in control group there were 5 cases in excellent, 7 in good, 10 in fair and 3 in poor. The comparison of effect between two groups had significant difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sizhi-Xifang is helpful to improve the ankle postoperative function.</p>