Immediate or delayed operative treatment of fractures of the ankle.

This study presents the results of the treatment of 92 unilateral fractures of the ankle. Of these, 72 patients were operated on immediately after the injury and 20 patients had delayed operations. Both groups are comparable in age, injury, fracture type and treatment. From the results it can be concluded that delayed open reduction and internal fixation 5-8 days after injury will give similarly good functional results. However, postoperative immobilization and the time spent in hospital by patients treated by delayed operation is significantly longer.