Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of combined external application of traditional Chinese medicine on the detumescence nursing of ankle joint fracture before operation based on the concept of accelerated rehabilitation surgery. Methods 78 patients with ankle fracture admitted to our hospital from May 2021 to August 2021 were retrospectively selected and divided into control group (39 cases, received routine detumescence care from May 2021 to June 2021) and experimental group (39 cases, received routine detumescence care from May 2021 to June 2021) according to nursing methods. July 2021 to August 2021 in the control group based on accelerated rehabilitation concept combined with external application of traditional Chinese medicine nursing). Both groups continued nursing until surgery. The two groups of indicators were compared. Results At admission, there was no difference in swelling ratio and swelling degree between two groups (P>0.05). At the time of operation, the swelling ratio of affected limb in the two groups was lower than that at admission, and the experimental group was lower than that in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). During operation, the swelling degree of experimental group was better than that of control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). At admission, there was no significant difference in numeric rating scales (NRS) scores between the two groups (P>0.05). 36 h after admission, the NRS score of the two groups was lower than that at admission, 12 h after admission, 24 h after admission, 24 h after admission, the NRS score of the two groups was lower than that at admission, 12 h after admission, 12 h after admission, and the NRS score of the two groups was lower than that at admission, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). 12 h, 24 h and 36 h after admission, the NRS score of test group was lower than that of control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The pain disappearance time of experimental group was shorter than that of control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). During hospitalization, the total incidence of adverse reactions in experimental group was lower than that in control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The application of accelerated rehabilitation concept combined with external application of traditional Chinese medicine can reduce the body pain, improve the effect of detumescence, and have good safety.

Key words: ankle joint fracture, external application of traditional Chinese medicine, accelerated rehabilitation surgery concept, pain, swell