Early Weightbearing Versus Non-weightbearing After Operative Treatment of an Ankle Fracture

Unstable ankle fractures are commonly treated operatively. After operative reduction and fixation of the fractures, there are varying rehabilitation regimes that include non-weightbearing for 6 weeks with active range of motion exercise in a removal cast or brace, or early protected weightbearing in a rigid cast. Several papers reported that early weightbearing may decrease ankle stiffness, muscle and bone atrophy, and aids in early return to activities. However, early weightbearing may have the risk of displacement of the fixed fractures. Rehabilitation after operative treatment of an ankle fracture is still not clear. We hypothesized that the ankle function assessed on 12 months after operation of an ankle fracture with early weightbearing is not inferior to non-weightbearing but is superior to non-weightbearing with respect to time to return to normal daily life and time to full weightbearing.