Early mobilisation versus immobilisation of surgically treated ankle fractures. Prospective randomised control trial.
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).
Dogra
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AS
Research Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK.
Rangan
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A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function