title: Does Ankle Aspiration for Acute Ankle Fractures Result in Pain Relief? A Prospective Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo Controlled Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Does ankle aspiration help with pain control in patients with ankle fractures?
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 1 Academic Medical Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive skeletally mature patients with ankle fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized between ankle aspiration and sham procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pain scores for 72 hours after injury and pain medicine usage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison between study subjects receiving ankle aspiration and sham procedure showed no significant differences in pain scores acutely in the emergency department or within 3 days after injury. There were also no statistically significant differences in pain medicine usage within 3 days after injury. Secondary outcomes, including lower leg volume, 6-month functional outcome scores, and complication rate, also showed no significant differences between subjects receiving aspiration and the sham procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aspiration of acute ankle fractures does not result in decreased pain scores or opioid usage after aspiration. Aspiration of acute ankle fractures does not provide measurable clinical benefit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: *United States Air Force; and †Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ewald
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Holte
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Cass
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: S Andrew
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sems
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage; D064386:Ankle Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015990:Placebo Effect; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics