Prospective randomized controlled trial: early weight bearing after conservative treatment of Weber B ankle fractures (pancake trial).
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the outcomes of mobilization and weightbearing versus immobilization and non-weightbearing in patients with stable transsyndesmotic, lateral isolated simple ankle fractures.
Results Summary
The intervention group (permissive weightbearing in a walking boot) showed significantly higher ankle functionality, improved range of motion, and better physical and mental health outcomes compared to the non-weightbearing group. All fractures demonstrated radiological healing progression, though 16% of initially stable fractures showed joint dislocation upon weightbearing.
Population
Patients with stable Weber B fractures (transsyndesmotic, isolated lateral simple ankle fractures).
Effective Dosage
Not specified (intervention involved permissive weightbearing in a walking boot).
Duration
24 months of follow-up (intervention duration not explicitly stated).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
permissive weightbearing in a walking boot | increase | ankle functionality as scored by the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) | patients with stable transsyndesmotic, lateral isolated simple ankle fractures | 30 points | was significantly higher | #1 |
permissive weightbearing in a walking boot | increase | ankle functionality as scored by the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) | patients with stable transsyndesmotic, lateral isolated simple ankle fractures | 10 points | was significantly higher | #2 |
permissive weightbearing in a walking boot | increase | range of motion (ROM) | patients with stable transsyndesmotic, lateral isolated simple ankle fractures | - | improved significantly | #3 |
permissive weightbearing in a walking boot | increase | physical component of the RAND 36-item health survey | patients with stable transsyndesmotic, lateral isolated simple ankle fractures | 60.3 vs. 46.3 | showed differences in favor | #4 |
permissive weightbearing in a walking boot | increase | mental component of the RAND 36-item health survey | patients with stable transsyndesmotic, lateral isolated simple ankle fractures | 78.5 vs. 58.2 | showed differences in favor | #5 |
weightbearing and mobilization using a walking boot | no change | - | patients with stable Weber B fractures | - | may be a safe treatment | #6 |
PURPOSE: Different studies have shown that weightbearing is safe in stable transsyndesmotic, isolated lateral simple ankle fractures. Despite this evidence, AO guidelines still recommend immobilization with above-the-knee cast for 4-6 weeks for these fractures. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of mobilization and weightbearing to those of immobilization and non-weightbearing in patients with stable transsyndesmotic, lateral isolated simple ankle fractures. METHODS: Fifty patients were randomly assigned to permissive weightbearing in a walking boot or non-weightbearing immobilization using a below-the-knee cast. Primary outcome was ankle functionality as scored by the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS). Secondary outcomes were radiological displacement of fracture, range of motion (ROM), calf circumference, and RAND 36-item health survey. Patients were in follow-up for 24 months. RESULTS: Ankle functionality after six and twelve weeks was significantly higher for the intervention group, with respectively 30 points (p = 0.001) and 10 points (p = 0.015) of difference. ROM improved significantly in the intervention group after six weeks. All fractures showed radiological progression of fracture healing. RAND 36-item showed differences in both physical (60.3 vs. 46.3, p = 0.017) and mental (78.5 vs. 58.2, p = 0.034) components in favor of the intervention group. In 16% of patients who initially showed stable fractures on radiographic imaging, joint dislocation was identified on weightbearing radiographs prior to randomization, leading to exclusion. CONCLUSION: Weightbearing and mobilization using a walking boot may be a safe treatment for patients with stable Weber B fractures.