Abstract
To clarify which factors influence the results of operative treatment of ankle malleolar fracture, the outcome was assessed clinically and radiographically in 76 joints of 76 patients who consisted of 49 males and 27 females with an average age of 36 years. After an average follow-up of 11.3 months, clinical and radiographic results were evaluated according to Burwells clinical and radiographic criteria. Clinical results were good in 63 joints, fair and poor in 13 joints. Postoperative reduction was anatomical in 65 joints, fair and poor in 11 joints.
There were no significant differences between clinically good and fair/poor groups with regard to sex, age, fracture type according to the Lauge-Hansen classification, number of malleolar fractures, and injury-operation interval. However, clinical results were significantly lower in patients injured by traffic accidents compared to other causes such as fall and sport injury. Although there was a tendency for anatomical reduction to be obtained in patients with good clinical results, it was not significant in this study.
