Testa Gianluca, Leonforte Francesco, Sapienza Marco, Ilardo Martina, Garozzo Stefania, Musumeci Maria Agata, Marchetti Michela, Vescio Andrea, Mistretta Antonio, Pavone Vito
Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, Section of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Policlinico Rodolico-San Marco, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Department of Integrated Hygiene, Organizational, and Service Activities (Structural Department), Health Management, University Hospital Policlinic "G. Rodolico-San Marco", 95123 Catania, Italy.
Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Aug 10;61(8):1439. doi: 10.3390/medicina61081439.
: Ankle fractures represent one of the most common injuries to the lower limb, particularly impacting women and the elderly. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic greatly disrupted both the incidence of these fractures and their treatment patterns globally. This retrospective epidemiological study analyzed 1010 cases of ankle fractures treated at the Orthopedics Department of Policlinico University Hospital in Catania from 2018 to 2023. The study aimed to evaluate trends in incidence, patient demographics, fracture types, treatment modalities, and hospital stay across the pre-COVID-19, COVID-19, and post-COVID-19 periods. : A retrospective observational study was conducted including all patients diagnosed with ankle fractures from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2023. Data were collected from hospital medical records using ICD-9-CM codes and radiographic classification systems (Danis-Weber, Lauge-Hansen, and AO/OTA). Variables analyzed included demographics, fracture type and side, treatment modality, and hospitalization details. Statistical analyses were performed using t-tests, chi-square tests, and linear regression, with significance set at < 0.05. : In 2020, there was a 31.7% decrease in fracture incidence. Although overall fracture rates rebounded after COVID-19, they did not reach pre-pandemic levels. During the pandemic, trimalleolar fractures increased significantly, occurring more frequently in older women, likely due to bone fragility. The rate of surgical treatments rose during and after the pandemic, with a distinct shift from ORIF to external fixation. Hospital stays were longer, especially for patients with cardiovascular risk factors. : The pandemic significantly altered the epidemiology, treatment strategies, and outcomes of ankle fractures. These findings highlight the necessity for adaptable care models and preventive strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older women.
踝关节骨折是下肢最常见的损伤之一，对女性和老年人影响尤为明显。2019年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行极大地扰乱了全球这些骨折的发病率及其治疗模式。这项回顾性流行病学研究分析了2018年至2023年在卡塔尼亚大学综合医院骨科治疗的1010例踝关节骨折病例。该研究旨在评估COVID-19之前、COVID-19期间和COVID-19之后发病率、患者人口统计学特征、骨折类型、治疗方式和住院时间的趋势。：进行了一项回顾性观察研究，纳入了2018年1月1日至2023年12月31日期间所有被诊断为踝关节骨折的患者。使用国际疾病分类第九版临床修正本（ICD-9-CM）编码和影像学分类系统（Danis-Weber、Lauge-Hansen和AO/OTA）从医院病历中收集数据。分析的变量包括人口统计学特征、骨折类型和部位、治疗方式以及住院详情。使用t检验、卡方检验和线性回归进行统计分析，显著性设定为<0.05。：2020年，骨折发病率下降了31.7%。尽管COVID-19之后总体骨折率有所反弹，但未达到大流行前的水平。在大流行期间，三踝骨折显著增加，在老年女性中更常见，可能是由于骨质脆弱。大流行期间及之后手术治疗率上升，从切开复位内固定明显转向外固定。住院时间更长，尤其是有心血管危险因素的患者。：大流行显著改变了踝关节骨折的流行病学、治疗策略和预后。这些发现凸显了采用适应性护理模式和预防策略的必要性，特别是针对老年女性等弱势群体。
