A recent study by the University of Missouri School of Medicine has found that putting weight on an ankle within three weeks of surgery for a fractured bone is safe. This discovery could help patients recover faster and regain independence sooner.
Currently, there are no standard guidelines for when patients can start bearing weight on fractured ankles. Previous research has yielded conflicting results. To address this, MU researchers studied 233 patients, dividing them into groups based on how long they avoided putting weight on their ankles. The study found no increased risk of complications in patients who started weight-bearing early.
The goal of the study was to determine if early weight bearing after an ankle fracture is safe. Early weight bearing can speed up recovery by preventing muscle weakness, improving joint mobility, and allowing patients to return to normal activities sooner.
Dr. Kyle Schweser, one of the study authors, noted that patients generally prefer early weight bearing because it increases their independence and reduces the need for walking aids.
While the study found no significant differences in complication rates, there were some limitations. Patients with other health conditions, such as diabetes and neuropathy, were more likely to delay weight bearing for more than six weeks. Schweser explained that because the study used past data, it couldn’t account for selection bias, which meant that more patients with these conditions were in the delayed weight-bearing group.
“We can at least say that healthy patients can bear weight early, and physicians can use discretion to be more aggressive in sicker patients,” Schweser said.
However, more research is needed to confirm whether early weight bearing is safe for high-risk patients. At MU Health Care, early weight bearing is recommended for most patients with ankle fractures, except those with certain conditions.
“Clinically, we recommend early weight bearing for all patients with ankle fractures, except for those with certain conditions,” Schweser added. “Patients are typically very happy to walk earlier and begin the process of returning to normalcy. Most patients stop using crutches and other aids quickly and are more satisfied with their care.”
The study, titled “Early weight bearing is not associated with short-term complications in ankle fractures,” was published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery. It involved a team of researchers including Dr. Schweser, medical students Clayton Brinkley, Warren Haralson, and Sam Hawkins, among others.
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