Abstract
BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles have gained widespread recognition for optimizing recovery across various surgical specialties. Effective management of postoperative pain plays a pivotal role in facilitating early rehabilitation and enhancing patient outcomes, particularly in ankle fracture surgery. This study investigated the effectiveness of rehabilitation therapies rooted in ERAS protocols in alleviating postoperative wound pain and improving recovery for patients undergoing ankle fracture surgery. METHODS: A total of 376 patients who underwent ankle fracture surgery between December 2022 and December 2023 were included in this retrospective analysis. Of these, 190 patients received ERAS-guided rehabilitation, while 186 underwent standard rehabilitation care. The ERAS program encompassed tailored interventions such as multimodal pain control, prompt mobilization, and personalized physical therapy regimens. Pain intensity was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days postoperatively. Additional metrics, including the duration of hospital stay, complication rates, and patient satisfaction, were also assessed. RESULTS: Patients in the ERAS group experienced significantly lower VAS scores than the standard care group at 24 hours (4.2 ± 1.1 vs 5.6 ± 1.4, P<0.001), 48 hours (3.1 ± 0.9 vs 4.4 ± 1.2, P<0.001), and 7 days post-surgery (2.0 ± 0.7 vs 3.1 ± 0.9, P<0.001). Furthermore, those receiving ERAS care had a shorter average hospital stay (5.1 ± 1.6 days vs 6.7 ± 2.1 days, P<0.001) and reported higher levels of satisfaction (92.1% vs 78.4%, P<0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in overall complication rates between the two groups (3.7% vs 4.3%, P=0.712). CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation therapies incorporating ERAS principles demonstrate substantial benefits in reducing postoperative wound pain and expediting recovery in ankle fracture surgery patients. These findings underscore the value of integrating ERAS-driven protocols into clinical practice to enhance patient experiences and postoperative outcomes.