Effectiveness of Compressive Stockings Utilization in the Management of Post-Operative Swelling for Ankle Fractures in a Teaching Hospital in Ghana

Background: 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. Methodology: 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 <0.05 (95% confidence interval) was considered statistically significant. Results: 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 < 0.05] and 12 weeks [0.42 cm (95% CI: 0.05 - 0.8), p < 0.05]. Conclusion: Compressive stocking can be used effectively to reduce post op swelling following open reduction and internal fixation for ankle fractures.