AFTER – Ankle fracture treatment: enhancing rehabilitation trial

Effectiveness of supervised versus self-directed rehabilitation for people aged 50 years and over with ankle fractures: the AFTER trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN11830323

Enrollment

344

Registered

2022-05-03

Start date

2022-09-15

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-06-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Ankle fracture Musculoskeletal Diseases

Interventions

Randomisation procedure Participants will be randomised by the local research team using a web-based service. Participants will be randomised at the stage they have weight bearing and movement restric

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

50 Years to 100 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Patient is aged 50 years and over with an ankle fracture undergoing surgical fixation or nonsurgical management 2. Patient is provided with a cast or orthotic boot (non-removable or removable for non-weight bearing ankle movement) for at least 4 weeks and no longer than 10 weeks 3. Patient has capacity to consent to trial participation within 14 days of removal of the cast/boot

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Patient is deemed unable to adhere to trial procedures or complete questionnaires 2. Patient was not ambulatory before the injury 3. Patient has contraindications to participation in an exercise programme

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Ankle function measured by Olerud and Molander Ankle Scale (OMAS) at 6 months post randomisation	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Ankle function measured by Olerud and Molander Ankle Scale (OMAS) at baseline and 2 and 4 months post randomisation. 2. Health-related quality of life measured by EQ-5D-5L at Baseline, 2, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. 3. Pain, measured by pain sub-scales of the EQ-5D-5L and OMAS at Baseline, 2, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. 4. Physical Function, measured by PROMIS Physical Function at Baseline, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. 5. Self-efficacy measured by Self-Efficacy Exercise Score at Baseline, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation 6. Participant exercise adherence, measured with self-reported exercise frequency at 2, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. 7. Participant complications, measured with complications questionnaire and Case Report Form at 2, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. 8. Cost effectiveness of interventions measured with health economics questionnaire at 2 and 6 months post-randomisation	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Ankle function measured by Olerud and Molander Ankle Scale (OMAS) at baseline and 2 and 4 months post randomisation. 2. Health-related quality of life measured by EQ-5D-5L at Baseline, 2, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. 3. Pain, measured by pain sub-scales of the EQ-5D-5L and OMAS at Baseline, 2, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. 4. Physical Function, measured by PROMIS Physical Function at Baseline, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. 5. Self-efficacy measured by Self-Efficacy Exercise Score at Baseline, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation 6. Participant exercise adherence, measured with self-reported exercise frequency at 2, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. 7. Participant complications, measured with complications questionnaire and Case Report Form at 2, 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. 8. Cost effectiveness of interventions measured with health economics questionnaire at 2 and 6 months post-randomisation

—

Countries

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, United Kingdom, Wales

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Jun 21, 2026