EP.FRI.849 Quality Improvement Project for Management of Unstable Ankle Fracture in Scunthorpe General Hospital

Abstract Introduction In SGH, little emphasis is placed on ankle fracture as compared to hip fracture. Hence, an audit was done to compare management of unstable ankle fracture in adherence to BOAST guidelines. It was found out that few aspects of management in A&E were inadequate. Analyzing the root cause of non-adherence to guideline can lead to better care for these patients. Aim Primary aim is to ensure that ankle fractures are treated effectively in line with BOAST guidelines. Secondary aim is to ensure that ankle fractures are treated in a timely manner. Change in practice Discussion was held between Orthopaedic consultant and A&E consultant. Firstly, poster displaying algorithm for ankle fracture management displayed in A&E. Secondly, Orthopaedics doctor would come to A&E to reduce fracture after first failed attempt. Methods Prospective data is collected. Patients with unstable ankle fracture who are admitted in SGH are assessed in regards to BOAST guidelines via WebV, PACS and clinical notes. Results Major improvement is seen in different aspects. The documentation of neurovascular assessment and skin integrity in A&E department is improved by 57%. Additional radiographs of the whole leg when clinical examination suggests a more proximal fracture of the fibula (Maisonneuve injury) was performed in 60% more patients as compared to previously. Adequacy of reduction done in A&E is improved by 25%. Conclusion Small changes can make a big difference. Good communication and teamwork between different departments is the best way to provide better care for patients.

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Stability-based classification for ankle fracture management and the syndesmosis injury in ankle fractures due to a supination external rotation mechanism of injury

Acta Orthopaedica ◽

10.3109/17453674.2012.745657 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 83 (sup347) ◽

pp. 1-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Harri Pakarinen

Keyword(s):

Ankle Fracture ◽

External Rotation ◽

Ankle Fractures ◽

Mechanism Of Injury ◽

Syndesmosis Injury ◽

Fracture Management ◽

Supination External Rotation

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Ankle fractures

10.1093/med/9780199550647.003.012059 ◽

2011 ◽

Author(s):

R. Handley ◽

A. Gandhe

Keyword(s):

Comparative Studies ◽

Ankle Fracture ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Ankle Fractures ◽

Fracture Management

♦ Ankle fracture management is dependent on the patient, stability and congruence♦ Comparative studies of treatment options should be interpreted with caution.

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Ankle fractures in diabetic patients

EFORT Open Reviews ◽

10.1302/2058-5241.5.200025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (8) ◽

pp. 457-463

Author(s):

Nikolaos Gougoulias ◽

Hesham Oshba ◽

Apostolos Dimitroulias ◽

Anthony Sakellariou ◽

Alexander Wee

Keyword(s):

Ankle Fracture ◽

Weight Bearing ◽

Operative Management ◽

Ankle Fractures ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Rigid Fixation ◽

Charcot Neuroarthropathy ◽

Fracture Management ◽

Non Operative Management ◽

Hindfoot Arthrodesis

Surgical complications are more common in patients with complicated diabetes (presence of inner organ failure, neuropathy). Of all patients undergoing ankle fracture fixation, approximately 13% are diabetic and 2% have complicated diabetes mellitus. Non-operative management of ankle fractures in patients with complicated diabetes results in an even higher rate of complications. Insufficient stability of ankle fractures (treated operatively, or non-operatively) can trigger Charcot neuroarthropathy, and result in bone loss, deformity, ulceration, and the need for amputation. Rigid fixation is recommended. Hindfoot arthrodesis (as primary procedure or after failed ankle fracture management) can salvage the limb in approximately 80% of patients. Early protected weight bearing can be allowed, provided rigid fixation without deformity has been achieved. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:457-463. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200025

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Improving the Management of Adult Patients with Acute Ankle Fractures in Malawi: An Examination of Providers’ Knowledge and Treatment Strategies

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011420s00092 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 2473011420S0009

Author(s):

Kiran J. Agarwal-Harding ◽

Ami Kapadia ◽

Leonard Banza ◽

Mabvuto Chawinga ◽

Nyengo Mkandawire ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ankle Fracture ◽

Treatment Strategies ◽

Ankle Fractures ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Baseline Assessment ◽

Knowledge Gaps ◽

Treatment Practices ◽

Fracture Management ◽

Provider Knowledge ◽

Educational Course

Category: Trauma; Ankle; Other Introduction/Purpose: The burden of trauma is growing worldwide, especially in low-income countries. In Malawi, ankle fractures are common and may receive inadequate treatment due to limited surgical capacity and provider knowledge of evidence- based treatment guidelines. We sought to examine ankle fracture management in Malawi, identify providers’ knowledge gaps, and address these knowledge gaps in ways that were relevant to the Malawian context. Methods: This study had three phases. First, we performed a baseline assessment of orthopaedic providers’ knowledge of anatomy, injury identification, and ideal treatment methods. Second, we observed providers’ treatment strategies while they cared for adult patients with ankle fractures over a five-week period at a large central hospital. We performed blinded, post-hoc reviews of patient x-rays and compared our treatment recommendations to the plans and rationales of Malawian providers. Third, we implemented an educational course addressing the knowledge gaps we identified, performed pre- and post-course knowledge assessments, and launched a standardized protocol for ankle fracture management in Malawi. Results: In our baseline assessment, we identified significant knowledge gaps in identification of common injuries on x-ray and ideal treatment practices. In our observations of treatment practices, 17/49 patients (35%) met operative criteria based on evidence-based guidelines but did not receive operative treatment by Malawian providers. For 7/17 (41%) of these patients, Malawian providers believed nonoperative treatment was ideal. In our educational course, 51/61 participants (84%) performed better between the pre- and post-course assessments. Overall scores improved from a mean of 66% to 77%, an improvement of 5.2/49 questions (95% CI 3.8-6.6, p<0.001). Providers could identify one more injury correctly out of 6 that were tested (95% CI 0.6-1.6, p<0.001), and identify one more ideal treatment out of 7 (95% CI 0.5-1.4, p<0.001). Conclusion: In Malawi, ankle fractures are common, and most are treated non-operatively. This is partly due to resource limitations, but also due to gaps in provider knowledge and lack of treatment standardization. Here we demonstrated a comprehensive approach to examining the challenges to providing adequate care, as well as the successful implementation of an intervention to improve care capacity nationwide.

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Management of Ankle Fractures with Syndesmotic Disruption: A Survey of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011420s00408 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 2473011420S0040

Author(s):

Ryan G. Rogero ◽

Emmanuel M. Illical ◽

Daniel Corr ◽

Steven M. Raikin ◽

James Krieg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gold Standard ◽

Ankle Fracture ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Ankle Fractures ◽

Multinomial Regression ◽

Orthopaedic Surgeons ◽

Suture Button ◽

Standard Management ◽

Management Protocol ◽

Usage Patterns

Category: Ankle; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: With an increasing frequency of syndesmotic fixation during ankle fracture ORIF and no current gold standard management protocol, it is important for surgeons to understand the frequency and usage patterns of the various techniques among other orthopaedic surgeons. The purposes of this study are to determine how orthopaedic surgeons currently manage ankle fractures with concomitant syndesmotic disruption and to identify surgeon demographics predictive of syndesmotic management. Methods: An 18-question survey, including 10 specific syndesmotic management questions was sent to the Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) and Canadian Orthopaedic Association (COA), as well as sent to email addresses of foot and ankle-fellowship trained surgeons. Surgeon demographic questions included years, country, and type of practice, fellowship(s) completed, setting of ankle fracture surgery, and number of ankle fractures operated on per year. Multinomial regression analysis was performed to determine if surgeon demographics were predictive of syndesmotic management. Results: One-hundred ten orthopaedic surgeons completed our survey. Selected predictors of syndesmotic management included: private practice with academic appointments (0.077 [0.007, 0.834]; p=0.035) being predictive of not using screws through an ORIF plate; foot & ankle fellowship (9.981 [1.787, 55.764]; p=0.009) and trauma fellowship (6.644 [1.302, 33.916]; p=0.023) predictive of utilizing screws through a plate; no fellowship (14.886 [1.226, 180.695]; p=0.034) predictive of only using 1 screw; and surgeons practicing in the U.S. were more likely to not use screws across just 3 cortices (0.031 [0.810, 3.660]; p=0.009). Additionally, among those utilizing suture-button devices, foot & ankle fellowship-trained surgeons were more likely to implement suture-button through plate (7.676 [1.286, 45.806]; p=0.025). Conclusion: Several surgeon factors influence decision making in the management of ankle fractures with syndesmotic disruption. This study raises awareness of differences in management strategies that should be used for further discussion when determining a potential gold standard for management of these complex injuries.

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Principles and guidelines in the management of ankle fractures in adults

Journal of Perioperative Practice ◽

10.1177/1750458920969029 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175045892096902

Author(s):

Harry Kyriacou ◽

Ahmed MHAM Mostafa ◽

Benjamin M Davies ◽

Wasim S Khan

Keyword(s):

Clinical Guidelines ◽

Ankle Fracture ◽

Ankle Fractures ◽

Recent Developments ◽

Psychosocial Complications ◽

British Orthopaedic Association

Ankle fractures are common injuries that have many physical and psychosocial complications. As a result, it is important to be aware of how these patients present and are managed perioperatively. Detailed guidelines from NICE and the British Orthopaedic Association have been produced on this topic, including recent developments such as the decision to weight-bear early after surgery and the use of virtual fracture clinics. This article provides an overview of the key perioperative factors that need to be considered in cases of ankle fracture and the relevant clinical guidelines.

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Is postoperative non-weight-bearing necessary? INWN Study protocol for a pragmatic randomised multicentre trial of operatively treated ankle fracture

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-021-05319-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ramy Khojaly ◽

Ruairí Mac Niocaill ◽

Muhammad Shahab ◽

Matthew Nagle ◽

Colm Taylor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ankle Fracture ◽

Multicentre Trial ◽

Short Form ◽

Plantar Flexion ◽

Weight Bearing ◽

Ankle Fractures ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Fracture Patterns ◽

Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background Postoperative management regimes vary following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of unstable ankle fractures. There is an evolving understanding that extended periods of immobilisation and weight-bearing limitation may lead to poorer clinical outcomes. Traditional non-weight-bearing cast immobilisation may prevent loss of fixation, and this practice continues in many centres. The purpose of this trial is to investigate the safety and efficacy of immediate weight-bearing (IWB) and range of motion (ROM) exercise regimes following ORIF of unstable ankle fractures with a particular focus on functional outcomes and complication rates. Methods A pragmatic randomised controlled multicentre trial, comparing IWB in a walking boot and ROM within 24 h versus non-weight-bearing (NWB) and immobilisation in a cast for 6 weeks, following ORIF of all types of unstable adult ankle fractures (lateral malleolar, bimalleolar, trimalleolar with or without syndesmotic injury) is proposed. All patients presenting to three trauma units will be included. The exclusion criteria will be skeletal immaturity and tibial plafond fractures. The three institutional review boards have granted ethical approval. The primary outcome measure will be the functional Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS). Secondary outcomes include wound infection (deep and superficial), displacement of osteosynthesis, the full arc of ankle motion (plantar flexion and dorsal flection), RAND-36 Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) scoring, time to return to work and postoperative hospital length of stay. The trial will be reported in accordance with the CONSORT statement for reporting a pragmatic trial, and this protocol will follow the SPIRIT guidance. Discussion Traditional management of operatively treated ankle fractures includes an extended period of non-weight-bearing. There is emerging evidence that earlier weight-bearing may have equivocal outcomes and favourable patient satisfaction but higher wound-related complications. These studies often preclude more complicated fracture patterns or patient-related factors. To our knowledge, immediate weight-bearing (IWB) following ORIF of all types of unstable ankle fractures has not been investigated in a controlled prospective manner in recent decades. This pragmatic randomised-controlled multicentre trial will investigate immediate weight-bearing following ORIF of all ankle fracture patterns in the usual care condition. It is hoped that these results will contribute to the modern management of ankle fractures. Trial registration ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN76410775. Retrospectively registered on 30 June 2019.

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The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) During Early Recovery After Ankle Fracture

Foot & Ankle International ◽

10.1177/10711007211002811 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107110072110028

Author(s):

Peter Larsen ◽

Mohammed Al-Bayati ◽

Rasmus Elsøe

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort Study ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

Ankle Fracture ◽

Minimal Clinically Important Difference ◽

Ankle Fractures ◽

Foot And Ankle ◽

Early Recovery ◽

Clinically Important Difference ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Background: Several patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are available for assessing the outcomes following ankle fractures. This study aimed to evaluate validity, reliability, and responsiveness and detect the minimal clinically important difference of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) in patients with ankle fractures. Methods: The study design is a prospective cohort study, including all patients treated both conservatively and surgically following an ankle fracture (AO-43A/B/C). Content validity, test-retest reliability, responsiveness, and minimal clinically important difference were evaluated from 14 days to 3 months following the fracture. Results: The study population consisted of 52 females and 24 males. The mean age was 52.0 years (range, 15-75 years). The percentage of patients at 12 weeks reporting the 5 subscales at least somewhat relevant were pain, 77%; symptoms, 75%; activities of daily living (ADL), 64%; sport, 81%; and quality of life (QOL), 88%. High test-retest reliability of the FAOS questionnaire was observed. The interclass coefficients were 0.78, 0.77, 0.71, 0.73, and 0.74 for the pain, symptoms, ADL, sport, and QOL subscales, respectively. Responsiveness was evaluated with high effect size for the symptoms (0.83), ADL (1.19), sport (4.36), and QOL (2.12) subscales. The minimal clinically important difference of the FAOS was 14 (95% CI, 12-17). Conclusion: The FAOS during early recovery after ankle fracture has high reliability and validity. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective cohort study

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