Management of Fracture Ankle in Patients With Uncontrolled Diabetes by Hind Foot Nail With Versus Without Joint Preparation: Randomized Control Study

Diabetes is a well-known risk factor for complications following ankle fracture fixation.Current recommendations for operative treatment of ankle fractures in patients with diabetes consist of increased rigid fixation and prolonged periods of non-weight bearing with minimally invasive techniques.

Yee et al described a treatment algorithm for ankle fractures in diabetes patients based on the extent of their diabetic complications, Adelaide Fracture in the Diabetic Ankle (AFDA) score, and suggest that primary ankle arthrodesis may be an option in severe situations.

Ebaugh et.al. described the technique of fixing the ankle joint in diabetic patients without joint preparation .

Primary hindfoot arthrodesis with Calcaneotibial nail with formal joint preparation was described by many authors as treatment for ankle fractures in diabetic patient .

To our knowledge, there is no comparative study in management of ankle fractures in diabetic patients using these two different techniques.

Our hypothesis is to try to prove that management of diabetic fracture ankle by hindfoot nail without joint preparation is better than other techniques regarding overall lower complication rate, higher functional outcome and better option for treatment of these patients using minimal invasive approaches in those high risk patients.