Assessment of standing balance in patients after ankle fractures.

PURPOSE The objective of the study is to evaluate the degree of balance disorders in patients with surgical treatment of ankle fractures with the use of stabilometric examinations. METHODS The subjects in the study were 21 patients with ankle fractures treated surgically, within one year of the procedure. The control group comprised 20 healthy subjects. The balance was evaluated with the use of force platform in standing posture in both single and double limb stance. The parameters analysed were the transition area of the centre of feet pressure (COP), the length of the COP path and the COP velocity. The range of movement in the ankle joint and the intensification of pain were also measured. RESULTS In the balance evaluation in double limb stance, there were no statistically significant differences. A significant difference was found in the attempts of single limb-stance. An average value of COP transition area in the study group was 261.2 mm2 in single stance (on the right operated limb) and in the control group--93.2 mm2, so the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0096). The presence of pain, the presence or the removal of anastomosis had no significant influence on the balance of the subjects under study. Also a significant correlation between the balance of the subjects and their age was found. CONCLUSIONS The balance in single limb stance after an instable ankle fracture within one year of the surgical procedure is significantly poorer in comparison with healthy subjects. Elderly persons have significantly poorer balance control.