Effect of Early Weight Bearing on Rehabilitation Outcomes in Patients with Unicondylar Proximal Tibia Fractures and Bimalleolar Ankle Fractures
Abstract
The overall objective of this study is to provide definitive evidence that early weight bearing is safe in patients with operatively treated ankle fracture injuries and results in better outcomes. We hypothesize that clinical complications will be similar in patients in the early and delayed WB group and that patients in the Early WB Group will return to usual major activity (i.e. work, active duty, school) sooner and achieve better functional outcomes than those in the Delayed WB Group. As a consequence, the number of work days lost and costs associated with lost productivity will be lower for the Early versus the Delayed WB group. We will also conduct a pilot study of early vs. delayed weight bearing in patients surgically treated for unicondylar plateau fractures. Smaller clinical series and biomechanical date indicate that early weight bearing is safe and patients with these injuries may benefit from early weight bearing as well. A study of these injuries will provide important information with regard to safety and outcomes that is currently lacking and provide data to help power a definitive trial.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1200780
Entities
People
- William Obremskey
Organizations
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center