Early Ambulation Safely in Unstable Ankle Fractures (EASY-Ankle)

This pilot randomized controlled trial will evaluate the safety and feasibility ofbeginning weight‐bearing earlier after surgery for an unstable trimalleolar anklefracture.Trimalleolar ankle fractures involve three parts of the ankle and usually require surgeryto restore and stabilize the joint. After surgery, patients are commonly instructed notto place weight on the injured ankle for approximately six weeks. However, earlierweight‐bearing may improve mobility and recovery without increasing complications.Additional evidence is needed specifically for patients with trimalleolar fractures.Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two postoperativerehabilitation groups. The early weight‐bearing group will begin placing weight on theinjured ankle two weeks after surgery. The delayed weight‐bearing group will beginweight‐bearing six weeks after surgery, which reflects the current standard approach.Both groups will begin ankle range‐of‐motion exercises approximately two weeks aftersurgery.Participants will be followed for 52 weeks. Ankle function, mobility, quality of life,complications, and routine X‐ray findings will be assessed during follow‐up. The studywill also evaluate participant recruitment, adherence to the assigned rehabilitationprotocol, and completeness of study data.The results will help determine whether a larger randomized controlled trial should beconducted and may contribute to future rehabilitation recommendations for patientsrecovering from surgically treated trimalleolar ankle fractures.