Elective surgeries were largely put on hold during phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the fact of the matter is that some surgeries can’t be delayed until the pandemic is over. That’s particularly true for patients with ankle fractures, as they need to have their ankle addressed quickly in order to avoid potentially catastrophic complications. […]
Opioids Ineffective For Ankle Fracture Patients
When it comes to providing patients with the right care plan after surgery, opioids and pain medications are often part of the discussion. For some patients, opioids can help to control pain and help the patient stay in a positive frame of mind because they aren’t bogged down with pain and discomfort. For others, opioids […]
Unstable Ankle Fractures In The Elderly – A Case For Casting
New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that for some elderly patients with unstable ankle fractures, a below-the-knee cast with minimal padding may produce similar outcomes as surgical fixation. “Close contact casting was delivered successfully for most participants, substantially reducing the number of patients requiring invasive surgical procedures at the […]
Predicting Infection Likelihood After Open Ankle Fracture
A retrospective review of more than 1,000 patients who suffered an open ankle fracture revealed which factors made a person more likely to suffer a surgical site infection. For the study, researchers reviewed the medical records of 1,003 skeltally mature patients who underwent surgery for an open ankle fracture. They defined an infection as a […]