Internal fixation vs manual reduction in the treatment of ankle fracture healing and inflammation: A case–control study

Ankle fractures are among the most common bone injuries, which are often accompanied by soft tissue injuries. Proper management of these fractures is crucial to promote healing and minimize complications. This study explores the effects of 2 treatment methods for ankle fractures: open reduction and internal fixation and manual reduction followed by plaster external fixation. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 124 patients with ankle fractures admitted between March 2020 and September 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 62 received internal fixation and 62 received manual reduction with plaster external fixation. The study evaluated various clinical outcomes, including treatment effectiveness, recovery times, the incidence of nonunion, ankle joint function and inflammatory factors, and complication rates. The internal fixation group showed a significantly higher effective treatment rate (96.77%) compared to the non-internal fixation group (85.48%). After treatment, the internal fixation group had significantly lower medial malleolus space and talus tilt angles, indicating better fracture alignment. The internal fixation group also had shorter treatment, postoperative recovery, and functional recovery times. Furthermore, the incidence of nonunion and complications was lower in the internal fixation group. Inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) decreased significantly in the internal fixation group compared to the non-internal fixation group. Internal fixation is more effective than manual reduction and plaster external fixation for treating ankle fractures. It leads to better fracture healing, shorter recovery times, and fewer complications, including nonunion. Manual reduction with external fixation remains a viable option but may be associated with a higher risk of nonunion and delayed healing. Early and effective management of soft tissue injuries is crucial for improving treatment outcomes in ankle fractures.