Outcomes Over a Decade After Surgery for Unstable Ankle Fracture: Functional Recovery Seen 1 Year Postoperatively Does Not Decay With Time

Conclusions: Our data indicate that over a decade after ankle fracture fixation, most of the patients are doing well. Despite the presence of radiographic arthritis in 63% of patients, few experience pain or have restrictions in function, and mean long-term functional outcome scores are improved when compared with scores at 1 year. Patients undergoing operative fixation of unstable ankle fractures can anticipate functional outcomes that are maintained over time. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Source: Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Original Article: OTA Highlight Paper Source Type: research