Foot and ankle surgery : official journal of the European Society of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
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The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors associated with pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis following open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures. ⋯ The overall rate of thromboembolic disease was low in this large patient sample. Increased age and comorbidity were associated with an increased risk.
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Regardless of the simple surgical technique, the success of the subtalar arthrodesis is limited by the rate of non-unions of the arthrodesis. The functional outcome of workers compensation is known to be poorer compared to patients without pending litigation. The aim of this study was to quantify the rate of non-unions and to determine risk factors leading to failure of the osseous consolidation after arthrodesis of the subtalar joint. The outcome assessed is a general health assessment with the SF-36 questionnaire and more illness specific with the AOFAS hindfoot score. Secondly, the influence of the health insurance status of the patients with or without worker's compensation on the outcome was tested. ⋯ The outcome measures of the patients with SF-36 and the more functional related AOFAS hindfoot score showed poor outcome rates after subtalar fusion in posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The AOFAS hindfoot score was 47±24 points after primary arthrodesis and 46±17 points after secondary arthrodesis of the subtalar joint. The patients regained their former ability to work only in 30% after fusion of the subtalar joint. If revision surgery was necessary 8% of the patients got back to their work prior to the injury.