The role of outpatient visit after operative treatment of ankle fractures

Our study showed that every tenth operatively treated ankle fracture patient requires a change in their treatment plan due to a clinical problem such as infection or a cast-related issue. Although at hospital discharge all patients are provided with written instructions on where to contact if problems related to the operated ankle emerge, only one third of the patients are aware of the clinically alarming symptoms and seek care when problems present. Our findings do not support obtaining routine radiographs at the early outpatient visit in an ankle fracture patient without clinical signs of a complication.