Functional assessment and influencing factors after staged functional training in patients with ankle fractures

The recovery of limb function after ankle fracture surgery is a gradual process. The main purpose of implementing early functional exercise, joint mobility, muscle contraction function, passive ankle flexion and extension exercises, or physical factor therapy techniques is to achieve the rapid recovery of normal physiological limb function. However, currently the most effective rehabilitation training method is staged limb functional exercise, which promotes rapid recovery of limb function while preventing adverse consequences caused by overwork or insufficient training. Staged limb functional exercise divides the rehabilitation process into multiple stages, each of which has specific training objectives and contents. This method helps patients gradually restore limb function. Nevertheless, some patients still exhibit poor limb function after standardized exercise. Therefore, a functional evaluation should be performed to analyze the impact of staged functional training after ankle fracture surgery.

To perform a functional evaluation and determine the influencing factors of staged functional training in patients with ankle fracture.

A retrospective study enrolled 150 patients who underwent surgical treatment for ankle fracture from May 2020 to May 2022 at our hospital. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed on general data, functional exercise compliance scale for orthopedic patients, Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score, and pain factors [serum bradykinin (BK), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)].

Based on the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, the cases were divided into the excellent function (n = 111) and ordinary function (n = 39) groups. Univariate analysis revealed that monthly family income, education level, diabetes mellitus, functional exercise compliance scale of orthopedic patients score, SSRS, BK, PGE2, and 5-HT significantly influenced limb function after ankle fracture (P < 0.05); Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the functional exercise compliance scale score, SSRS, BK, PGE2, and 5-HT were independent risk factors affecting functional performance after staged functional exercise (P < 0.05).

Exercise compliance, SSRS, and pain level are the independent risk factors affecting functional performance after staged functional training following ankle surgery. Clinical nursing care after ankle surgery should include analgesic and health education measures to ensure optimal recovery of limb function.