Early mobilisation versus immobilisation of surgically treated ankle fractures. Prospective randomised control trial.

Dogra, A S; Rangan, A · Injury · 1999

rct · Level II

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Abstract

In a randomised prospective controlled trial of 52 patients aged 16 to 65 we compared early non-weightbearing ankle mobilisation with ankle immobilisation following surgical treatment of bimalleolar ankle fractures. At 3 months there was no significant difference between the two groups in the range of ankle movements or pain. There was however a significant difference in the gait pattern with a higher proportion of cases in the early ankle mobilisation group having a symmetrical gait (P = 0.0001).

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