Functional and radiological outcome of open reduction and internal fixation in bimalleolar fractures of ankle: a prospective study

Background: Bimalleolar fractures are commonly encountered fractures in the orthopaedic emergency. The goals in the treatment of these fractures are aimed at perfect anatomical reduction which could be obtained by open reduction and internal fixation.Methods: A prospective study conducted in the department of orthopedics, Government Medical College, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir from June 2019 to December 2020 in patients with bimalleolar fracture. Clinical history, socio-demographic profile, and Lauge Hansen classification was noted for all patients. Functional outcome was evaluated 6 months postoperatively using the Baird and Jackson criteria.Results: Mean time for radiological union was 18 weeks. Baired and Jackson scoring was used with excellent results in 21 patients (43.75%), good results in 19 patients (39.58%), fair results in 8 patients (16.66) while no patients had poor outcome.Conclusions: In our study we concluded that open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in bimalleolar fractures with plating for lateral malleolus and cannulated cancellous screw (CCS) for medial malleolus is an effective treatment modality with very good results in experienced hands.