• Bechert RE

• Affiliation / Victory Health (Guntersville, Alabama)
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Alabama / Guntersville
• Aged
• Ankle Injuries
• Athletic Tape
• Female
• Laser Therapy
• Osteoarthritis
• Tibial Fractures

Objective: The purpose of this case report is to describe the treatment of a 3-year-old plafond fracture that developed posttraumatic osteoarthritis in a patient with chronic left ankle pain.

Clinical Features: A 65-year-old woman presented with daily anterior, posterior, medial, and lateral left ankle pain. Her initial pain level was 7 of 10 on weight bearing. She had trouble working and walking. She was previously treated with a walking boot, crutches, exercises, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and a steroid injection. She consulted our office approximately 3 years post-injury, at which point her initial disability score was 55 of 104 on the Foot and Ankle Disability Index.

Interventions and Outcome: The patient was subsequently treated with low-level laser, kinesio taping, exercise, and toggle board manipulation of the ankle. After a total of 6 visits, she was able to return to work and was walking with marked reduction of pain. Her pain level was 1 of 10 on weight bearing 1.5 years after her last treatment.

Conclusion: In this case report, a patient presented with 3-year-old ankle pain with an original etiology of plafond fracture. Her pain and disability resolved with a combination of low-level laser, exercises, kinesio taping, and toggle board manipulation. Her disability score after 6 visits was 18 of 104 on the Foot and Ankle Disability Index. This is a possible treatment option for posttraumatic osteoarthritis secondary to plafond fractures.

Author keywords: Ankle; Osteoarthritis; Fracture

Author affiliation: Victory Health, LLC, Guntersville, Alabama

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