Costs and Radiographic Outcomes of Rotational Ankle Fractures Treated by Orthopaedic Surgeons With or Without Trauma Fellowship Training.

INTRODUCTION

We evaluated the radiographic outcomes and surgical costs of surgically treated rotational ankle fractures in our health system between providers who had completed a trauma fellowship and those who had not.

METHODS

We grouped patients into those treated by trauma-trained orthopaedic surgeons (TTOS) and non-trauma-trained orthopaedic surgeons (NTTOS). We graded the quality of fracture reductions and calculated implant-related costs of treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 208 fractures met the inclusion criteria, with 119 in the TTOS group and 89 in the NTTOS group. Five patients lost reduction during the follow-up period. The adequacy of fracture reduction at final follow-up did not differ (P = 0.29). The median surgical cost was $2,940 for the NTTOS group and $1,233 for the TTOS group (P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION: We found no notable differences in radiographic outcomes between the TTOS and NTTOS groups. Cost analysis demonstrated markedly higher implant-related costs for the NTTOS group, with the median surgical cost being more than twice that for the TTOS group.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.