Early Weightbearing After Surgically Treated Ankle Fractures
Location
LSUHSC Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation
Document Type
Presentation
Start Date
22-6-2024 8:45 AM
End Date
22-6-2024 9:05 AM
Publication Date
June 2024
Description
Introduction: Ankle fractures are some of the most common orthopedic injuries and often are treated operatively. Historically, the majority of ankle fractures have been treated with a prolonged period of non-weightbearing status after surgery to allow for adequate healing and to prevent complications. This study looks to evaluate the safety of early weightbearing in operatively treated ankle fracture.
Methods: A total of 277 patients with ankle fractures who underwent open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) by a single surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. Weightbearing was allowed on average at 6 weeks, but in some patients occurred as early as 2 weeks. Early weight bearing was defined as weightbearing by 6 weeks. Patients were followed at regular post-operative intervals to evaluate for wound healing, fracture union, and return to daily activities.
Results: There were 53 (22%) trimalleolar, 63 (26%) bimalleolar, and 120 (50%) bimalleolar equivalent fractures. There were a total of 10 (4.2%) superficial infections, 3 (1.2%) deep infections that required surgical debridement, and only 1 (.4%) nonunion. These numbers are consistent with those described in prior literature. There was no significant difference in the rate of complications between the early versus delayed weightbearing groups p=.97.
Conclusion: This study suggests that early weightbearing after ankle fracture ORIF does not increase risk of complication and can be safely incorporated into rehabilitation protocols.
Recommended Citation
Schatz, Marc, "Early Weightbearing After Surgically Treated Ankle Fractures" (2024). Dept. of Orthopaedics: Robert D. D’Ambrosia Lectureship & Research Day. 1.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ortho_rd/2024/presentation1/1
Early Weightbearing After Surgically Treated Ankle Fractures
LSUHSC Center for Advanced Learning and Simulation
Introduction: Ankle fractures are some of the most common orthopedic injuries and often are treated operatively. Historically, the majority of ankle fractures have been treated with a prolonged period of non-weightbearing status after surgery to allow for adequate healing and to prevent complications. This study looks to evaluate the safety of early weightbearing in operatively treated ankle fracture.
Methods: A total of 277 patients with ankle fractures who underwent open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) by a single surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. Weightbearing was allowed on average at 6 weeks, but in some patients occurred as early as 2 weeks. Early weight bearing was defined as weightbearing by 6 weeks. Patients were followed at regular post-operative intervals to evaluate for wound healing, fracture union, and return to daily activities.
Results: There were 53 (22%) trimalleolar, 63 (26%) bimalleolar, and 120 (50%) bimalleolar equivalent fractures. There were a total of 10 (4.2%) superficial infections, 3 (1.2%) deep infections that required surgical debridement, and only 1 (.4%) nonunion. These numbers are consistent with those described in prior literature. There was no significant difference in the rate of complications between the early versus delayed weightbearing groups p=.97.
Conclusion: This study suggests that early weightbearing after ankle fracture ORIF does not increase risk of complication and can be safely incorporated into rehabilitation protocols.