Immediate Vs. Delayed Weight Bearing Postoperative Protocol in Diabetic Ankle Fractures

Description

Operatively managed diabetic ankle fractures have significant risk for complications. The cause for failure is likely multifactorial, however, a component of failure has to do with an inability to process pain and pressure normally. This loss of protective sensation allows for an increase in abnormal stresses placed on the recently repaired fractures. Historically, diabetics have been kept non weight bearing for extended periods of time, which has its own functional and cardiovascular issues. The purpose of the study is to determine if a protocol of immediate weight bearing with a hindfoot offloading brace after surgically corrected ankle fracture in a diabetic patient will maintain adequate motion, have no difference in complications when compared to regular non-immediate weight bearing protocols, and lead to good outcome scores and patient satisfaction scores

Conditions

Ankle Fractures

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Operatively managed diabetic ankle fractures have significant risk for complications. The cause for failure is likely multifactorial, however, a component of failure has to do with an inability to process pain and pressure normally. This loss of protective sensation allows for an increase in abnormal stresses placed on the recently repaired fractures. Historically, diabetics have been kept non weight bearing for extended periods of time, which has its own functional and cardiovascular issues. The purpose of the study is to determine if a protocol of immediate weight bearing with a hindfoot offloading brace after surgically corrected ankle fracture in a diabetic patient will maintain adequate motion, have no difference in complications when compared to regular non-immediate weight bearing protocols, and lead to good outcome scores and patient satisfaction scores

Immediate Vs. Delayed Weight Bearing Postoperative Protocol in Diabetic Ankle Fractures

Immediate Vs. Delayed Weight Bearing Postoperative Protocol in Diabetic Ankle Fractures

Condition
Ankle Fractures
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Columbia

University of Missouri Health System, Columbia, Missouri, United States, 65212

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. Adults 18 and ove
  • 2. Positive for diabetes
  • 3. Positive monofilament test
  • 4. Isolated ankle fracture (non-pilon) and undergoing operative intervention within 3 weeks of fracture
  • 5. Weight less than 275 (124kg)
  • 6. Can tolerate and comply with brace
  • 7. No signs of pre-existing charcot arthroplasty or ankle deformity
  • 1. Children
  • 2. Pregnant patients
  • 3. No signs of diabetes complicated by neuropathy
  • 4. Non-operative ankle fractures
  • 5. Multiple extremity injury
  • 6. Cannot follow post-operative protocol
  • 7. Chronic ankle fractures receiving surgery beyond 3 weeks of injury

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Kyle Schweser MD,

Kyle M Schweser, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Assistant Professor Orthopaedic Trauma/Foot and Ankle

Study Record Dates

2025-06-15