Clinical outcomes following ankle fracture: a cross‐sectional observational study

Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of the current study was to examine objective and subjective differences between three severity groups of ankle fractures patients compared to healthy controls.MethodsThis was a case-controlled study. 92 patients with an ankle fracture injury of which 41 patients were eligible to participate in the study. 72 healthy people served as controls. All patients underwent a computerized gait test, completed self-assessment questionnaires (The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the SF-36), evaluated with the American Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) form and completed the 6-min walk test. The control group performed a computerized gait test and completed the SF-36 health survey.ResultsAll ankle fracture patients presented compromised gait patterns and limb symmetry compared to controls (p < 0.05). Ankle fracture patients also had lower SF-36 scores compared to controls (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found between the unimalleolar group compared to the bimalleolar and trimalleolar groups in most parameters, except for the FAOS scores. There were no significant differences between the bimalleolar fracture group and the trimalleolar fracture groups.ConclusionsAlthough all fracture severity classification groups presented a compromised gait pattern and worse clinical symptoms compared to controls, it seems that patients with a unimalleolar fracture is a different group compared to bimalleolar and trimalleolar fracture. Furthermore, it seems that bimalleolar fracture and trimalleolar fracture affect the gait pattern and clinical symptoms to an equal extent, at least in the short-term.Trial registrationNCT01127776.

Lower Extremity Kinematic Profile of Gait of Patients After Ankle Fracture: A Case-Control Study

“…This might have resulted from guarding or bracing by the patient (i.e., patient's fear of weightbearing and joint movement). These findings are congruent with the work by Segal et al (10), which showed decreased gait velocity among patients with an ankle fracture compared with the control group.…”

“…The results, however, have been conflicting (10,(14)(15)(16). Most used self-assessment questionnaires and functional scores to evaluate the functional status of patients after ankle fracture surgery.…”

“…It saves the high costs and logistic efforts inflicted by the usually used dedicated gait laboratory. A recent casecontrol study used a portable walkway to provide information on the spatiotemporal characteristics of gait and found compromised gait patterns and limb symmetry in patients after an ankle fracture injury compared with the controls (10). Nevertheless, portable walkway systems cannot be used to measure joint motion or kinetics, which can add information and reflect the patient's condition.…”

“…A recent study has shown that patients with a unimalleolar fracture constitute a different group with significantly better gait patterns and clinical symptoms compared with those with bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures. Furthermore, it seems that bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures affect the gait pattern and clinical symptoms similarly, at least in the short term (10).…”

Gait characteristics and quality of life perception of patients following tibial plateau fracture

“…The use of computerized gait analysis as a method to assess different musculoskeletal conditions is growing as it allows an objective assessment of the patient's functional ability and symmetry. Gait analysis deviations have been reported for patients following ankle fracture [22], post-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction [23], and other lower extremity trauma [24]. All of the above have demonstrated the effect of injury on gait patterns of the patients compared to healthy controls.…”