The Safety of Early Weight Bearing Following Fixation of Displaced Bimalleolar Ankle Fractures

Abstract

The most common fractures in adults are the ankle fracture accounting for incidence up to 173 occurrences per 1,00,000 people per year. Ankle fractures which are displaced, are commonly treated with ORIF with variable regimens available. Various authors have shown a link between clinical outcome and postoperative radiography. After open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of displaced bimalleolar ankle fractures, this paper compared early weight bearing (EWB) to late weight bearing (LWB) to determine union rates after operation, hardware loosening rate, medial clear space on x-ray, and functional outcome. This study found that EWB did not increase markers of outcome failure 3 weeks after surgery compared to 6 weeks of NWB which is considered the gold standard of care to enable healing, good range of motion, reduced risk of muscle weakning and bone osteoporosis, return more quickly for day-to-day living activities and improve postoperative rehabilitation.