%0 Journal Article
%T Effectiveness of Compressive Stockings Utilization in the Management of Post-Operative Swelling for Ankle Fractures in a Teaching Hospital in Ghana
%A Bernard Hammond
%A Kwadwo Aning Abu
%A David Anyittey-Kokor
%A Paa Kwesi Baidoo
%A Michael Leat
%A Ronald Awoonor-Williams
%A Adwoa Afriyie Wilson
%A Dominic Konadu-Yeboah
%A Senyo Gudugbe
%A Kizito Kakra Vormawor
%A Mohammed Issah Suglo Bukari
%A Joshua Tei Shiako
%A Emmanuel Ansah Owusu
%J Open Journal of Orthopedics
%P 579-588
%@ 2164-3016
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojo.2024.1412054
%X <b>Background: </b>Post-operative swelling following open reduction and internal fixation for ankle fracture is a common complication that delays return to function. Compressive stockings have been employed in most centres in Africa to help resolve such complications but there is a dearth of information regarding its clinical effectiveness. Therefore, this study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of compressive stockings in the management of post-operative ankle swelling. <b>Methodology: </b>A prospective cohort hospital-based study was employed in the present study to assess the effectiveness of compressive stocking in reducing post-op swelling following ORIF for ankle fractures compared to a control group who had no compressive stocking using a convenient sampling method. Data collected include age, sex, and ankle circumference at 2, 6 and 12 weeks post op. Based on the x-rays, the ankle fractures were categorized according to the Lauge-Hansen classification. Student t-test was used in all statistical analyses p-value &lt;0.05 (95% confidence interval) was considered statistically significant. <b>Results: </b>A total of 85 patients (40 test and 45 control) including 54% males and 46% females between the ages of 18 - 78 years with a mean age of 44.8 + 14.9 years were recruited for the present study. The most common fracture pattern was supination external rotation (74.1%). Post op swelling was significantly lower in the compressive stocking group compared to the control group at 6 weeks [0.53 cm (95% CI: 0.05 - 1.01), p &lt; 0.05] and 12 weeks [0.42 cm (95% CI: 0.05 - 0.8), p &lt; 0.05]. <b>Conclusion: </b>Compressive stocking can be used effectively to reduce post op swelling following open reduction and internal fixation for ankle fractures.
%K Ankle-Fractures
%K Postoperative-Swelling
%K Functional-Outcomes
%K Compressive-Stocking
%K ORIF
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=138698