Study of Tourniquet Use During Ankle Fracture Surgery and Its Effects on Muscle pH and Recovery Outcomes

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying ankle fracture surgery patients to understand how using a tourniquet during the operation affects muscle pH, functional recovery, and patient-reported outcomes. The study focuses on comparing patients who have a tourniquet applied during surgery with those who do not, exploring potential complications like pain, swelling, nerve and muscle injury, and tissue changes due to lack of blood flow. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one with a tourniquet inflated around the thigh during surgery up to 2 hours or until splint placement and one with a tourniquet placed but not inflated. The study continuously measures muscle pH during and after surgery and tracks patient outcomes and physical function for up to 3 months post-surgery. During the study, participants will undergo assessments including patient-reported physical function and pain measures before surgery and 12 weeks afterward. Additional evaluations like pain scoring, limb swelling, mobility, range of motion, muscle strength, balance tests, and continuous pH monitoring occur at various points up to 12 weeks postoperatively. The study aims to link intraoperative tourniquet use with recovery and functional outcomes.

Correlation Between Intraoperative Tourniquet Use and Limb pH, Functional Measures and Patient-reported Outcomes After Ankle Fracture Surgery