Mid-term functional outcomes of reduced and malreduced fractures in two university teaching hospitals

IntroductionWe performed a longitudinal outcome study involving the operative management of ankle fractures at two university teaching hospitals. This was a retrospective review of the quality of reduction and a prospective study into the functional outcome.MethodsAll patients undergoing open reduction internal fixation of the ankle between November 2006 and November 2007 at one centre, and January to December 2009 at the other were included. Adequacy of reduction was assessed on the initial post-operative radiographs using Pettrone's criterion. The post-operative functional outcome was recorded using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), completed by postal or telephone follow-up at 64 months post injury (60–74 months).ResultsThere were 261 patients in the cohort, with a mean age of 47 years (17–91). Weber B fractures were sustained in 193 patients compared to 68 Weber C fractures. The medial malleolus was fractured in 43 cases, and a large posterior malleolar fragment (>20%) was found in 13 cases...