Comparison of Operative vs Non-operative Management of Ankle Fractures in Diabetic Patients: Prospective Randomized Trial

Abstract

This study investigates the outcomes and complications associated with the management of ankle fractures in diabetic patients. A total of 44 diabetic patients with ankle fractures were enrolled, and they were randomly assigned to either conservative or operative treatment groups. The study evaluated demographic characteristics, diagnosis, complications, functional outcomes, and correlation with HbA1c and ankle brachial index. The results revealed a 29.5% complication rate among the patients, including superficial infections, Charcot neuroarthropathy, arthritic changes, loss of reduction leading to ankle fusion, and stiffness. Functional outcome scores (AOFAS and SF36) did not significantly differ between the conservative and operative groups. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative relationship between HbA1c levels and functional scores in the conservative group. Ankle brachial index demonstrated a negative correlation with the SF36 score in the conservative treatment group. The study emphasizes the importance of diabetic control and vascular assessment in guiding treatment decisions for diabetic ankle fractures.