Factors affecting the postoperative function of malleolar fracture / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the factors which affect the postoperative functions of the ankle joint. Methods A retrospective study was done of 102 patients who had been diagnosed as malleolar fracture and operated on in our institute between January 2005 and January 2008. We recorded their age, gender, body mass index(BMI), fracture type (AO type), time from injury to operation and presence or ab-sence of cast immobilization. Their ankle functions were evaluated by X-ray and the Baird-Jackson evaluation system in regular follow-up. Relationship between the above-mentioned factors and the postoperative functions of the ankle joint was statistically analyzed, using univariate logistic regression and multiple stepwise logistic regression. Results A total of 102 patients were followed up for 24.7 (11 to 43) months. A negative correlation between the age, fracture type, reduction and postoperative function was found. The gender, body mass index (BMI), time from injury to operation and presence or absence of east immobilization, however, had no association with the postoperative function. The conservative treatment of the deltoid ligament injury complicated with the lateral malleolar fracture and/or improper treatment of the syndesmotic injury led to poor function. Conclusions The older a patient and the more serious a fracture, as well as the more unsat-isfactory the reduction, the poorer the postoperative ankle functions may be. To some extent, rational treat-ment of the deltoid ligament injury complicated with the lateral malleolar fracture and the syndesmotic injury may also determine the postoperative function of the ankle joint.