Gait analysis and functional outcomes after twelve-week rehabilitation in patients with surgically treated ankle fractures

- We examined patients with surgically treated ankle fractures after rehabilitation.
- We analysed the temporal and spatial gait parameters and functional outcomes.
- Significant improvement of gait parameters was found after 12-week rehabilitation.
- The functional outcomes improved significantly after 12-week rehabilitation.

Ankle fractures are the most common type of lower extremity fractures. The objective of our study was to analyse the changes of temporal and spatial gait parameters and functional outcomes in patients with bimalleolar fractures who followed surgery and rehabilitation compared to healthy controls. 49 patients with ankle fractures and 21 age-matched healthy volunteers were recruited. There were two assessments for the study group: T1 - once weight-bearing was allowed and T2 - twelve weeks after exercise-based rehabilitation programme. Each evaluation consisted in a functional questionnaire (Olerud-Molander Ankle Score-OMAS) and temporal and spatial gait parameters analysis. The gait parameters were analysed using a Zebris FDM platform. 30 patients completed the final assessment and their data were analysed. In T1 assessment there were significant differences in all temporal and spatial gait parameters between the patients group and controls. In T2 evaluation step time in affected ankle and non-affected ankle, swing time and stance time on affected ankle, stride time and cadence showed no significant differences in patients compared with controls. The within-group analysis showed significant differences in all temporal and spatial gait parameters except for single support time on non-affected ankle after rehabilitation. The OMAS improved significantly from T1 to T2 in all subscales except for squatting. Median value of OMAS improved from 60 (35-90) to 95 (55-100). Our study revealed significant improvements of all temporal and spatial gait parameters, as well as of the functional outcome in patients with surgically treated ankle fractures after twelve-week rehabilitation.