Outcome of Operative vs. Non-Operative Management of Weber B Ankle Fractures

Abstract

Objectives; Ankle fractures are very common injury presented to trauma surgeons all over the world. Various treatments options are available and several classification exist to aid in the decision making process. We aim to to look at the outcome of Weber B fracture treatment and how various trauma surgeons have been treating them and final outcome with various treatment protocols.

Methods; Data was collected from medical records after approval of Ethical committee. All ankle fracture presented at two hospitals in Lahore during 2020 to 2023 were evaluated for treatment offered and final outcome was recorded from clinical review and x-rays performed at final visit.

Results; We looked at a total number of 90 Weber B ankle fractures treated at our two institutions during the three years’ time period and conservative vs. operative treatment was offered to the patients as per on call trauma team’s preferred method of treatment. Out of 90 patients, 47 (52%) patients were treated non-operative and 43(48%) patients were operated. 5 patients from non-operative group needed to be operated within first two weeks. All patients went on to achieve full union at the end of one year follow-up.

Conclusion; Our study showed that for non-displaced Weber B ankle fracture, conservative treatment is a suitable alternative to operative management. Risk of treatment failure is very low and patient satisfaction is comparable to operative group.