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Prospective randomized controlled trial: early weight bearing after conservative treatment of Weber B ankle fractures (pancake trial).

European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie
January 1, 2024
R C Stassen et al. (6 authors)
Randomized Controlled TrialJournal ArticleHuman StudyClinical
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (6)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansAnkle FracturesProspective StudiesConservative TreatmentFracture HealingWeight-BearingTreatment OutcomeFracture Fixation, Internal
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy90/10
Quality88/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations4
Citations/Year4.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score3.00
Normalized Score0.88
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