Early mobilisation versus immobilisation of surgically treated ankle fractures. Prospective randomised control trial. Use of a cast compared with a functional ankle brace after operative treatment of an ankle fracture. A prospective, randomized study. No long-term effects of ultrasound therapy on bioabsorbable screw-fixed lateral malleolar fracture. Using hypnosis to accelerate the healing of bone fractures: a randomized controlled pilot study. Stable lateral malleolar fractures treated with aircast ankle brace and DonJoy R.O.M.-Walker brace: a prospective randomized study. Effects of a training program after surgically treated ankle fracture: a prospective randomised controlled trial. Immobilization of operated ankle fractures. Comparative study of functional bracing and plaster cast treatment of stable lateral malleolar fractures. Early mobilization of operated on ankle fractures. Prospective, controlled study of 40 bimalleolar cases. Protected early motion versus cast immobilization in postoperative management of ankle fractures. [Comparison between Robert Jones dressing and "U" splint in ankle fractures]. The dynamic vacuum orthosis: a functional and economical benefit? [Cast immobilization versus vacuum stabilizing system. Early functional results after osteosynthesis of ankle joint fractures]. Early postoperative weight-bearing and muscle activity in patients who have a fracture of the ankle. Ankle performance after ankle fracture: a randomized study of early mobilization. Use of noninvasive interactive neurostimulation to improve short-term recovery in patients with surgically repaired bimalleolar ankle fractures: a prospective, randomized clinical trial. Postoperative treatment of internally fixed ankle fractures: a prospective randomised study. Passive stretching does not enhance outcomes in patients with plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture: a randomized controlled trial. Early mobilization in a removable cast compared with immobilization in a cast after operative treatment of ankle fractures: a prospective randomized study. Mobilization after operation of ankle fractures. Good results of early motion and weight bearing. Aftertreatment of malleolar fractures following ORIF -- functional compared to protected functional in a vacuum-stabilized orthesis: a randomized controlled trial. Early weight bearing of malleolar fractures. Early weight bearing of displaced ankle fractures.
In a randomised prospective controlled trial of 52 patients aged 16 to 65 we compared early non-weightbearing ankle mobilisation with ankle immobilisation following surgical treatment of bimalleolar ankle fractures. At 3 months there was no significant difference between the two groups in the range of ankle movements or pain. There was however a significant difference in the gait pattern with a higher proportion of cases in the early ankle mobilisation group having a symmetrical gait (P = 0.0001). Controversy continues with regard to the optimal postoperative care after open reduction and internal fixation of an ankle fracture. The hypothesis of this study was that postoperative treatment of an ankle fracture with a brace that allows active and passive range-of-motion exercises would improve the functional recovery of patients compared with that after conventional treatment with a cast. Thus, the purpose of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the long-term subjective, objective, and functional outcome after conventional treatment with a cast and that after use of functional bracing in the first six weeks following internal fixation of an ankle fracture.
                One hundred patients with an unstable and/or displaced Weber type-A or B ankle fracture were treated operatively and then were randomly allocated to two groups: immobilization in a below-the-knee cast (fifty patients) or early mobilization in a functional ankle brace (fifty patients) for the first six postoperative weeks. The follow-up examinations, which consisted of subjective and objective (clinical, radiographic, and functional) evaluations, were performed at two, six, twelve, and fifty-two weeks and at two years postoperatively.
                There were no perioperative complications in either study group, but eight patients who were managed with a cast and thirty-three patients who were managed with a brace had postoperative complications, which were mainly related to wound-healing. Two patients in the group treated with a cast had deep-vein thrombosis. All fractures healed well in both groups. The difference between the two groups with respect to the complication rate was significant (p = 0.0005). No significant differences between the study groups were observed in the final subjective or objective (clinical) evaluation. At the two-year follow-up examination, the average score (and standard deviation) according to the ankle-rating scale of Kaikkonen et al. was 85 +/- 9 points for the group treated with a cast and 83 +/- 10 points for the group treated with a brace, and the average ankle score according to the system of Olerud and Molander was 87 +/- 8 points and 87 +/- 9 points, respectively.
                The long-term functional outcome after postoperative treatment of an ankle fracture with a cast and that after use of a functional brace are similar. Although early mobilization with use of a functional ankle brace may have some theoretical beneficial effects, the risk of postoperative wound complications associated with this treatment approach is considerably increased compared with that after conventional cast treatment. Thus, the postoperative protocol of treatment with a functional brace requires refinement before it can be generally advocated for use after operative treatment of an ankle fracture. The present study was initiated to evaluate the long-term effects of low-intensity ultrasound therapy on bioabsorbable screw-fixed lateral malleolar fractures, which has not been studied earlier.
                The study design was prospective, randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled. Sixteen dislocated lateral malleolar fractures were fixed with one bioabsorbable self-reinforced poly-L-lactide screw. The patients used an ultrasound device 20 minutes daily for six weeks without knowing it was active (eight patients) or inactive (eight patients). The follow-up time was 18 months. The radiological bone morphology was assessed by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans, the bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, and the clinical outcome by Olerud-Molander scoring and clinical examination of the ankle.
                The MDCT scans revealed that all fractures were fully healed, and no differences were observed in radiological bone morphology at the fracture site. The bone mineral density of the fractured lateral malleolus tended to increase slightly during the 18-month follow-up, the increase being symmetrical in both groups. No differences were observed in the clinical outcome or Olerud-Molander scores.
                The six-week low-intensity ultrasound therapy had no effect on radiological bone morphology, bone mineral density or clinical outcome in bioabsorbable screw-fixed lateral malleolar fractures 18 months after the injury. Hypnosis has been used in numerous medical applications for functional and psychological improvement, but has been inadequately tested for anatomical healing.
                To determine whether a hypnotic intervention accelerates bodily tissue healing using bone fracture healing as a site-specific test.
                Randomized controlled pilot study.
                Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass, and McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass.
                Twelve healthy adult subjects with the study fracture were recruited from an orthopedic emergency department and randomized to either a treatment (n = 6) or a control group (n = 6). One subject, randomized to the treatment group, withdrew prior to the intervention.
                All 11 subjects received standard orthopedic care including serial radiographs and clinical assessments through 12 weeks following injury. The treatment group received a hypnotic intervention (individual sessions, audiotapes) designed to augment fracture healing.
                Radiological and orthopedic assessments of fracture healing 12 weeks following injury and hypnotic subjects' final questionnaires and test scores on the Hypnotic Induction Scale.
                Results showed trends toward faster healing for the hypnosis group through week 9 following injury. Objective radiographic outcome data revealed a notable difference in fracture edge healing at 6 weeks. Orthopedic assessments showing trends toward better healing for hypnosis subjects through week 9 included improved ankle mobility; greater functional ability to descend stairs; lower use of analgesics in weeks 1, 3, and 9; and trends toward lower self-reported pain through 6 weeks.
                Despite a small sample size and limited statistical power, these data suggest that hypnosis may be capable of enhancing both anatomical and functional fracture healing, and that further investigation of hypnosis to accelerate healing is warranted. Stable lateral malleolar fractures can be treated with dynamic braces and early mobilization. In a randomized clinical trial, 66 patients with supination-eversion stage II fractures were treated with Aircast Air-Stirrup ankle braces or DonJoy R.O.M.-Walker braces. Average bracing time was 5 weeks, and average time until return to work was 6 weeks. At 4 weeks, 70% to 80% of patients were able to walk without pain. Subjective satisfaction with comfort and ease of use was significantly higher with Aircast, although it was high in both groups. Pain relief and an inflammatory score were significantly better in the R.O.M.-Walker group after 4 weeks. Three months after injury, no differences were observed in grade of ambulation, pain, swelling, range of motion, or inflammatory score. Both braces can be recommended. Despite conflicting results after surgically treated ankle fractures few studies have evaluated the effects of different types of training programs performed after plaster removal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week standardised but individually suited training program (training group) versus usual care (control group) after plaster removal in adults with surgically treated ankle fractures.
                In total, 110 men and women, 18-64 years of age, with surgically treated ankle fracture were included and randomised to either a 12-week training program or to a control group. Six and twelve months after the injury the subjects were examined by the same physiotherapist who was blinded to the treatment group. The main outcome measure was the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) which rates symptoms and subjectively scored function. Secondary outcome measures were: quality of life (SF-36), timed walking tests, ankle mobility tests, muscle strength tests and radiological status.
                52 patients were randomised to the training group and 58 to the control group. Five patients dropped out before the six-month follow-up resulting in 50 patients in the training group and 55 in the control group. Nine patients dropped out between the six- and twelve-month follow-up resulting in 48 patients in both groups. When analysing the results in a mixed model analysis on repeated measures including interaction between age-group and treatment effect the training group demonstrated significantly improved results compared to the control group in subjects younger than 40 years of age regarding OMAS (p = 0.028), muscle strength in the plantar flexors (p = 0.029) and dorsiflexors (p = 0.030).
                The results of this study suggest that when adjusting for interaction between age-group and treatment effect the training model employed in this study was superior to usual care in patients under the age of 40. However, as only three out of nine outcome measures showed a difference, the beneficial effect from an additional standardised individually suited training program can be expected to be limited. There is need for further studies to elucidate how a training program should be designed to increase and optimise function in patients middle-aged or older.
                Current Controlled Trials ACTRN12609000327280. Forty-three patients with stable internal fixation of fresh ankle fractures were treated at random with a plaster cast for 6 weeks without weight bearing or were only immobilized for 3 days, after which active movements were encouraged. The two groups were followed for a year. Only at 6 weeks were there significant differences between the groups. In a prospective, randomized study, the use of the Aircast pneumatic air stirrup was compared with a standard below-knee walking cast in the management of Lauge-Hansen supination-eversion, stage II ankle fractures. Forty patients were randomly allocated to the two treatment groups. The use of the air stirrup led to a significant improvement in early patient comfort, post-fracture swelling, range of ankle motion at union, and time to full rehabilitation. We advocate the use of pneumatic air stirrup in the cost-effective management of stable ankle fractures. 40 patients with dislocated bimalleolar and trimalleolar ankle fractures took part in this randomized study. All ankles were operated on using cerclage, staples and pins. Active ankle movement with weight bearing in an orthosis was compared with active ankle movement without weight bearing using a dorsal splint. Stereophotogrammetric analysis showed small movements in the ankle mortise in both groups but conventional radiography revealed no fracture redislocation. The clinical results did not differ. This study was designed as the second part of a consecutive project. In the first part, early and late weight bearing in a cast without ankle movements was compared (Ahl et al. 1987b). In comparing the first and the second parts of the study, a small but significant increase in fracture instability was observed in the early motion group. No lasting superior clinical result was achieved by early ankle movement. After operation on dislocated bimalleolar ankle fractures, early postoperative weight bearing in a walking cast is recommended. Sixty-one active-duty military personnel with operatively treated ankle fractures were randomized into two postoperative immobilization regimens: Group I--six weeks short-leg cast, nonweight-bearing; Group II--six weeks removable orthosis, nonweightbearing. Group I began physical therapy at six weeks postoperatively, and Group II began physical therapy within the first postoperative week. Objective measurements of swelling, strength, range of motion, and functional tests were examined. Subjective scores of pain, function, cosmesis, and motion were recorded. Patients in Group II (early mobilization) had significantly better subjective scores at three and six months postoperatively; however, time to return to duty was not significantly different. Objective tests of swelling, strength, range of motion, and functional tests were not significantly different at three months postoperatively for either group. Early mobilization in a removable orthosis, while not objectively altering the postoperative course, provides a safe, preferable method of treatment in the reliable and cooperative patient. To compare the Robert Jones bandage with the "U" splint in edema control of ankle fractures.
                A prospective, longitudinal study, open, comparative and randomized made in 32 male patients (72%) and 16 female patients (28%), the average age was 36.9 years. Patients with an ankle fracture within 12 hours of evolution were registered. Both ankles previous to immobilization were measured, dividing the patients in 2 groups. Group 1 were treated with Robert Jones Bandage, and group 2 with "U" splint. The pain previous to immobilization was registered using an analogous visual scale. Twenty-four hours later the circumference and the pain was measured again.
                Group 1 displayed less edema, mean 17.69 mm, in comparison with group 2, of 8.33 mm (p < or = 0.36). Pain previous to immobilization in group 1 was a mean of 7 and in group 2 of 5.5 (p < or = 0.3); 24 hours later, a mean of 2 in both (p < or = 0.8).
                There were no significant differences between both immobilization methods. In a prospective, randomised study, 27 patients with internally fixed ankle fractures were treated post-operatively for a period of six weeks by application of either a new dynamic vacuum orthosis with permitted mobilisation to 10 degrees -0 degrees -10 degrees at the ankle joint or a synthetic cast. Full weight bearing was allowed in both groups after two weeks. The cast group was prescribed four weeks of physiotherapy following six weeks of immobilisation. After ten weeks, the Olerud and Molander score showed a significant difference in favour of the orthosis. Early functional outcomes were significantly better for this group after six weeks and ten weeks. Patients in the orthosis group who were in formal employment returned to work 24 days earlier than those in the control group. Treatment of the orthosis patients took up three to four times less working time for the medical personnel. A saving of 38 euros on directly ascertainable costs could be evaluated. Rehabilitation of ankle fractures with a dynamic vacuum orthosis leads to better early functional results and greater patient satisfaction. The orthosis fulfils the conditions for early return to work. Treatment with an orthosis not only reduces working time for medical personnel but economises on expenditure for treatment and rehabilitation. In a prospective randomized trial the early functional results after immobilisation in a cast were compared to those after using a vacuum stabilizing system. The vacuum stabilizing system Vacoped offers equivalent stability compared to a plaster cast. In contrast to the cast the Vacoped can be removed for body care and physical therapy. Additionally the range of motion for dorsal flexion/extention in the upper ankle joint can be adjusted. From 9/1996 to 7/1997 there were 40 patients included in the study with an operated ankle fracture as monotrauma. Six weeks postoperatively the patients with cast treatment showed significantly higher functional deficits for the upper ankle joint (20%), the lower ankle joint (40%) and muscle atrophy (2.1 cm side difference) than the group with the vacuum stabilizing system (upper ankle joint 15%, lower ankle joint 25%, 1.4 cm muscle atrophy). Five patients out of the group with the vacuum system were already at work three weeks postoperatively. Three months postoperatively the functional results for both groups were approximating. The vacuum stabilizing system Vacoped offers better early functional results than conventional cast treatment after osteosynthesis of ankle fractures. Because of the increased patient comfort and the early ability for physical therapy the vacuum stabilizing system is preferable to cast treatment. Fifty-six patients who had a displaced fracture of the ankle necessitating surgical fixation were randomly assigned to one of three postoperative treatment regimens: no plaster cast or weight-bearing, and active exercises of the ankle; a non-weight-bearing plaster cast; or a plaster walking cast for the first six postoperative weeks. At follow-up with a duration of as much as two years, there were no consistent differences in the clinical results between the three groups. The time lost from work and the proportion of excellent and good clinical results were also uninfluenced by the postoperative regimen. No adverse effects could be detected as a result of the patient's having walked before the syndesmosis screw had been removed. It was concluded that none of the three postoperative regimens has any advantage over the others in a patient who has a stable osteosynthesis of a fracture of the ankle. In a prospective, randomized study, 30 patients were evaluated after ankle fracture treated by means of open reduction and internal fixation. The patients were randomized to either postoperative immobilization in a plaster cast for 6 weeks or early mobilization (1-2 weeks after surgery) in an ankle brace. Both regimens allowed weightbearing. Evaluation after 10 weeks and after 12 months included clinical assessment and isokinetic muscle strength measurements. Patients with impaired ankle function, as shown by means of an ankle score at 12 months, were followed for 3 years. At 10 weeks, impaired muscle torque and restricted range of motion was found on the affected side. This impairment was significantly less in the brace group. At 12 months, range of motion of the ankle and subtalar joints was restored, but dorsiflexion was still better in the brace group. Score values from a functional score did not correlate with muscle strength. We undertook a trial with 60 patients who had undergone operative reduction and internal fixation of bimalleolar, AO type B2 ankle fractures with comminution. Patients were randomized into 2 groups, one of which received postoperative treatment using a noninvasive interactive neurostimulation device (InterX) and the other with a sham device. The trial was designed to test the hypothesis that incorporation of noninvasive interactive neurostimulation into the rehabilitation protocol would result in reduced pain, increased range of motion, reduced edema, and reduced consumption of pain medication, in comparison with the sham therapy group. Outcome measurements included the patient's subjective assessment of level of pain, range of motion, and the extent of edema in the involved ankle, and the use of ketorolac for postoperative control of pain. The results showed significantly better results in the patients receiving treatment with active neurostimulation (repeated measures analysis of variance, P < .001).
                Copyright 2010 American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. In a prospective, randomised trial of 81 patients with fractures of the ankle of AO types A, B and C we compared two regimes of postoperative management after internal fixation. The patients were mobilised either non-weight-bearing with crutches or weight-bearing in a below-knee walking plaster. We found a temporary benefit in subjective evaluation only (65 v 50 points, Mann-Whitney test, cft, p=0.02) for those with a below-knee walking plaster. There were no significant differences between the groups in the loaded dorsal range of movement (25 degrees v 23 degrees, Mann-Whitney test, cft, p = 0.16) or in the overall clinical result. Both treatments were considered to be satisfactory and their choice depends on the ability to mobilise non-weight-bearing, wound healing, the type of work and personal preference. To compare the efficacy of short- and long-duration passive stretches with a control treatment for the management of plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture.
                Assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial.
                Hospital physical therapy outpatient departments.
                Adults with plantarflexion contracture (N=150) after cast immobilization for ankle fracture. All subjects were weight bearing or partial weight bearing.
                Exercise only, exercise plus short-duration passive stretch, and exercise plus long-duration passive stretch. All subjects had a 4-week course of exercises. In addition, subjects in the short-duration stretch plus exercise group completed 6 minutes of stretching per day, and subjects in the long-duration stretch plus exercise group completed 30 minutes of stretching per day.
                Lower Extremity Functional Scale and passive dorsiflexion range of motion with the knee bent and straight at baseline, and at 4 weeks and 3 months postintervention.
                One hundred thirty-nine (93%) subjects completed the 4-week assessment and 134 (89%) subjects completed the 3-month assessment. There were no statistically significant or clinically important between-group differences for the primary outcomes.
                The addition of passive stretching confers no benefit over exercise alone for the treatment of plantarflexion contracture after cast immobilization for ankle fracture. The aim of operative treatment for ankle fractures is to allow early movement after internal fixation. The hypothesis of this study was that early mobilization would improve functional recovery in patients after surgery for ankle fractures.
                In a prospective randomized controlled study, 66 consecutive patients with ankle fractures that required open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) were assigned to one of two postoperative regimens: immobilization in a nonweightbearing below-knee cast or early mobilization in a removable cast. Four patients were excluded from the study, leaving 62 for review.
                Patients who had early mobilization in a removable cast had higher functional scores (Olerud-Molander and AOFAS) at 9 and 12 weeks postoperatively. They also returned to work earlier (67 days) compared with those treated in nonweightbearing below-knee cast (95 days), p<0.05. There was no statistical difference in Quality of Life (SF-36 Questionnaire) at 6 months between the two groups. We had an approximately 10% postoperative infection trend (one superficial and two deep) in the early mobilization group.
                Despite the overall short-term benefit of early mobilization, we had three patients in the early mobilization group who had wound complications. Both the surgeon and patient should be aware of the higher risk of wound complications associated with this treatment, and thus the accelerated rehabilitation protocol should be individualized. Fifty-one patients with dislocated lateral malleolar fractures took part in this prospective randomized study. Active ankle movements with weight bearing in an orthosis were compared with active ankle movements without weight bearing using a dorsal splint. By using cerclage, staples, and pins (Cedell 1967), an exact reconstruction of the ankle mortise was achieved in 44/51 ankles. Radiographic and stereophotogrammetric analyses at 3 months showed no redislocation and only small movements in the ankle mortise. Better loaded dorsal flexion capacity at 3 months was found in the orthosis group. This study was designed as the second part of a consecutive study. In the first part, early or late weight bearing without ankle exercises was compared (Ahl et al. 1986). The results from the two consecutive parts indicate that active ankle movements in combination with weight bearing facilitate and improve the rehabilitation following operation for an ankle fracture. In a monocenter randomized controlled trial, 45 patients with isolated malleolar fracture type OTA/AO 44 A1-B2 undergoing ORIF were allocated randomly to a postoperative treatment either with a vacuum-stabilized orthesis with prescribed full weight bearing after the second week (23 patients) (orthesis group -- OG) or with functional aftertreatment with partial weight bearing of 15 kg for 6 weeks (22 patients) (control group -- CG). Outcomes were compared at 6- and 10-week follow-up examinations. The Olerud and Molander ankle (OMA) score, ankle swelling, usage of crutches, range of motion, Short Form 12, patient-reported visual analogue scales (VAS) (pain, comfort, walking confidence) and time to return to work were evaluated. All patients of OG showed reduced swelling at discharge. The median OMA scores after 6 weeks were 42 and 42.5 (p = 0.46) and after 10 weeks 69 and 72 (p = 0.55) in the OG and CG, respectively. The time to achieve secure walking capacity was reduced by 1 day (p = 0.03) in the OG. After ORIF of simple malleolar fractures, patients with a vacuum-stabilized orthesis can bear full weight 2 weeks postoperatively. This group experienced no adverse events. Postoperative swelling was significantly reduced and of the ability to walk on stairs confidently was shorter as compared to a functional aftertreatment without any external stabilization of the ankle. A prospective randomized investigation of early versus late weight bearing in 46 patients with fracture of the lateral malleolus was performed. In 43/46 patients an exact operative reconstruction of the ankle mortise could be achieved using pins, staples and cerclage (Cedell, 1967). Radiographic and stereophotogrammetric analysis of the ankles after 3 months showed no significant differences, nor did the clinical follow-up. A prospective randomized study was performed comparing immediate and late weight bearing in 53 dislocated bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures. Using cerlage, staples, and pins (Cedell 1967), an exact reconstruction of the ankle mortise was achieved in 41/53 ankles. At follow-up after 3 and 6 months, the two groups were equal regarding clinical results. Evaluation radiographically and by roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (Selvik 1974) indicated that the stability of the ankle mortise was sufficient to allow early postoperative weight bearing.
There is limited evidence supporting early commencement of weight-bearing and the use of a removable type of immobilisation to allow exercise during the immobilisation period after surgical fixation. Because of the potential increased risk of adverse events, the patient's ability to comply with the use of a removable type of immobilisation to enable controlled exercise is essential. There is little evidence for rehabilitation interventions during the immobilisation period after conservative orthopaedic management and no evidence for stretching, manual therapy or exercise compared to usual care following the immobilisation period. Small, single studies showed that some electrotherapy modalities may be beneficial. More clinical trials that are well-designed and adequately-powered are required to strengthen current evidence.