A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF EARLY MOTION AND IMMEDIATE PLASTER SPLINTAGE AFTER INTERNAL-FIXATION OF UNSTABLE FRACTURES OF THE ANKLE

We reviewed 47 patients following operatively treated ankle fracture-d islocation, at an average of 15 months after injury, to assess the out come of two different postoperative regimens, Of the 47 patients, 27 r eceived early active and passive ankle exercises, and 20 patients rece ived immediate plaster splintage, Patients were assessed clinically by an independent surgeon and subjective, objective and radiological cri teria recorded. No significant difference was apparent between the two groups on any of the criteria, although the early movement group cont ained more patients who were completely pain free, had a normal gait a nd no radiological signs of arthrosis (P < 0.05). This was achieved at the expense of a longer stay in hospital (average 10.2 days versus 7. 4 days for plaster splintage) and more ankle swelling.