As per a study published in 'Foot & ankle specialist' by Tantigate D and researchers, the ankle fracture-dislocation is more frequent in patients who were older, female, and diabetic.

Substantial injury to the bony and soft tissue structures of the ankle is known as fracture dislocation of the ankle. Only limited reporting of functional outcome of ankle fracture-dislocations have been studied so far. Hence, this retrospective chart review focused on distinguishing the functional outcome after open reduction internal fixation in ankle fractures with and without dislocation.

This review of surgically treated ankle fractures spanned over 3 years. The fracture type, demographic data, operative time and complications were noted. Thirty-three (28%) patients out of 118 patients eligible for analysis sustained a fracture-dislocation. The mean patient age was 46.6 years. Sixty-two patients, who had a follow-up of at least 12 months, were investigated for functional outcome using Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). Median follow-up time was 37 months.

The demographic variables and FAOS were compared between ankle fractures with and without dislocation. The average age of patients sustaining a fracture-dislocation was higher (53 vs 44 years); with a greater percentage being female (72.7% vs 51.8%) and diabetic (24.2% vs 7.1%). Both groups witnessed similar wound complications. Generally, FAOS was poorer in the fracture-dislocation group; nonetheless only the pain subscale portrayed statistical significance (76 vs 92).

The researchers of this study concluded that at a median of just > 3-year follow-up, functional outcomes in fracture-dislocations were generally poorer and also, the pain subscale of FAOS was worse in a statistically significant fashion.