title: Postoperative treatment of internally fixed ankle fractures: a prospective randomised study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: St Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: van Laarhoven
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Meeuwis
authors.lastname: van der WerkenC
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D003446:Crutches; D004434:Early Ambulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing