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Surgical Versus Conservative Treatment of Weber B1 Fracture: Functional Outcome Using Gait Analysis

NCT03539029 · Status: COMPLETED · Type: OBSERVATIONAL · Enrollment: 29

Last updated 2024-03-19

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The decision whether to operate an ankle fracture or not is often highly dependent on the surgeon's individual judgment. There is consensus that non-displaced Weber A-type fractures rarely require operative treatment, and that Weber C-type or grossly displaced fractures are unstable and therefore require surgery. The decision for appropriate treatment is less clear for minimally displaced Weber B-type ankle fractures, and especially Weber B1 fractures are treated either surgically or conservatively at our clinic.

Conservative management of ankle fractures generally comprises immobilisation in a below-knee VacoPed or cast for six weeks to stabilise the fracture and allow osseous and soft tissue healing. Surgical treatment involves the reduction (if displaced) of the fractured fragments and fixation using various devices such as metal plates, screws, or intramedullary rods. While patients show changes in plantar pressure distribution during gait 18 months after surgical treatment of ankle fractures, to date the functional outcome regarding ankle joint mechanics during daily activities are unknown. Understanding gait function is important because compromised function may not only limit a persons daily activities but also may lead to secondary conditions such as osteoarthritis at the ankle or at adjacent joints.

The primary objective is:

• To compare differences in hindfoot and forefoot kinematics between level and uphill treadmill walking in relation to passive range of motion

The secondary objectives are:

* To compare ankle biomechanics during overground walking and level and uphill treadmill walking between patients with Weber B1 fracture treated either surgically or conservatively and healthy control persons.
* To determine the relationship between passive ankle range of motion, lower leg muscle strength and dynamic ankle range of motion.
* To determine the relationship between lower leg muscle strength and balance.
* To determine the relationship between dynamic range of motion and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score.

Conditions

  • Ankle Fracture - Lateral Malleolus

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Surgery

Surgical fracture fixation

PROCEDURE

Conservative treatment

immobilisation with plaster cast

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Annegret Mündermann, PhD · University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2018-05-01
Primary Completion
2020-04-30
Completion
2020-04-30

Countries

  • Switzerland

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT03539029 on ClinicalTrials.gov