Effect of Arthroscopic Evaluation of Acute Ankle Fractures on PROMIS Intermediate-Term Functional Outcomes

Background:Following open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of unstable ankle fractures, some patients have persistent pain and poor outcomes. This may be secondary to intra-articular injuries that occur at the time of fracture, which occur in up to 88% of fractures. Ankle arthroscopy at the time of ORIF has been proposed to address these intra-articular injuries. This study compared patient-reported functional outcomes in patients who underwent ankle ORIF with and without ankle arthroscopy.Methods:An institutional database was used to retrospectively identify 93 patients who underwent ORIF for an unstable ankle fracture with an intact medial malleolus between 2002 and 2013. Forty-two patients had ankle arthroscopy at the time of ORIF and 51 did not. Functional outcomes between groups were compared using Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function and pain interference computerized adaptive tests at a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Outcomes were also measured with th...