Methods of diagnosis and treatment of ankle fractures--the opinion of members and supporters of the Polish Foot and Ankle Society.

BACKGROUND: The present paper is based on a survey distributed among the participants of the 3rd Congress of the Polish Foot and Ankle Society in Jastarnia on April 22-24, 2010. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A clinical description and imaging data of a hypothetical patient with a typical ankle fracture were used to identify current methods of diagnosis and treatment of such injuries in Poland. The participants were orthopaedists. Eighty-five questionnaires were distributed and 54 (63%) were completed and returned. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Most respondents correctly recognized the fracture mechanism and identified the type of fracture. They preferred operative treatment, but were not able to apply the AO classification. The answers regarding post-operative radiological follow-up did not provide for long-term follow-up and the suggested methods of imaging to detect disruption of the tibiofibular syndesmosis were insufficient. The recommendations concerning the timing and staging of post-operative weight bearing as well as antithrombotic prophylaxis complied with current standards.