None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Ankle fractures are common and frequently require fixation. The current practice in Whangarei Hospital and most centres around New Zealand is to immobilise ankles post fixation in a cast for six weeks in order to protect the ankle from wound breakdown and to allow fracture to heal. However, there have been studies over the years that confirm early mobilisation post ankle fixation results in early return to work and no significant complications. A recent literature review confirmed that only one study out of nine showed a higher rate of infection in early mobilisation group. Our aim is to confirm the positive findings of the literature for our local population. If early mobilisation group in our study return to work sooner and have no further complications compared to cast group, this will change our practice at Whangarei Hospital and potentially at other centres around New Zealand.
Interventions
Patients in intervention group will have no cast post fixation of their ankle fracture. They will go in a moonboot for comfort only, and will be shown range of motion ankle joint exercises by physiotherapist on the ward prior to discharge. They will still be non weight bearing for six weeks. No formal outpateint physiotherapy sessions will take place in the first six weeks. The frequency of exercises will not be specified as the importance here is placed on allowing the patient freedom to move t
Patients in intervention group will have no cast post fixation of their ankle fracture. They will go in a moonboot for comfort only, and will be shown range of motion ankle joint exercises by physiotherapist on the ward prior to discharge. They will still be non weight bearing for six weeks. No formal outpateint physiotherapy sessions will take place in the first six weeks. The frequency of exercises will not be specified as the importance here is placed on allowing the patient freedom to move their ankle at their will post surgery.
Sponsors
Whangarei Hospital
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Ankle fracture (all types) requiring surgical fixation
Exclusion criteria
Patients with diabetes as a medical comorbidity Multitrauma (more than one injury in a single event)
Outcome results
None listed