Early weight bearing of displaced ankle fractures

Abstract

A prospective randomized study was performed comparing immediate and late weight bearing in 53 dislocated bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures. Using cerlage, staples, and pins (Cedell 1967), an exact reconstruction of the ankle mortise was achieved in 41/53 ankles. At follow-up after 3 and 6 months, the two groups were equal regarding clinical results. Evaluation radiographically and by roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (Selvik 1974) indicated that the stability of the ankle mortise was sufficient to allow early postoperative weight bearing.