UK research has found that weight-bearing following ankle fracture surgery may be more beneficial than previously thought.
The Queen Mary University of London reports that a Bone and Joint Health research group study proposes a potential shift in advice on more effective post-surgical care.
It moves away from previous considerations about weight-bearing after treatment for ankle fractures, potentially leading to improved outcomes.
The comprehensive paper by Christopher Bretherton from the Bone and Joint Health research group in the Blizard Institute, published in The Lancet, presents compelling evidence that weight-bearing after ankle fracture surgery may not lead to worse patient outcomes – and could potentially expedite the return to normal activities.
While further research may be needed to examine the risks of returning to weight-bearing, the study suggests that putting weight on the ankle as it heals may also help reduce the stiffness and muscle atrophy often seen after surgical interventions for a fracture.
This marks a change to the standard treatment protocols, which recommend that patient keep their weight off the affected foot until healing is complete.
The authors concluded that the trial finds that an early weight-bearing strategy is non-inferior to delayed weight-bearing after ankle fracture surgery and is highly likely cost-effective.
‘This should provide clinicians around the world the confidence to recommend early weight-bearing to their patients after ankle fracture surgery.’
Chris Bretherton, NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in the Bone and Joint Health Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, said: ‘It’s fantastic how the National Institute for Health and Care Research has facilitated collaboration among clinical teams across the UK to challenge the long-standing practice of delayed weight-bearing after surgery. This research will empower surgeons to promote early weight-bearing, significantly aiding patients during the most critical phases of their recovery from ankle fractures.’
The Bone and Joint Health research group aims to transform research, education and care for people with bone and joint disorders.
The group brings together all aspects of orthopaedics and works across two world-renowned UK institutions – Barts Health NHS Trust and Queen Mary University of London.
Ankle fracture has a high incidence – it is one of the most common injuries treated by orthopaedic surgeons worldwide – and complication rate with residual pain affects more than one-third of all patients.
According to a paper in 2022, ‘ankle fracture presents a significant societal impact in terms of patient outcomes and payer burden’.
