Methods of diagnosis and treatment of ankle fractures--the opinion of members and supporters of the Polish Foot and Ankle Society.

BACKGROUND The present paper is based on a survey distributed among the participants of the 3rd Congress of the Polish Foot and Ankle Society in Jastarnia on April 22-24, 2010. MATERIAL AND METHODS A clinical description and imaging data of a hypothetical patient with a typical ankle fracture were used to identify current methods of diagnosis and treatment of such injuries in Poland. The participants were orthopaedists. Eighty-five questionnaires were distributed and 54 (63%) were completed and returned. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Most respondents correctly recognized the fracture mechanism and identified the type of fracture. They preferred operative treatment, but were not able to apply the AO classification. The answers regarding post-operative radiological follow-up did not provide for long-term follow-up and the suggested methods of imaging to detect disruption of the tibiofibular syndesmosis were insufficient. The recommendations concerning the timing and staging of post-operative weight bearing as well as antithrombotic prophylaxis complied with current standards.