Weightbearing after ankle fracture fixation; A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, a modern perspective.

IF 2.4 3区医学 Q2 ORTHOPEDICS

Foot and Ankle Surgery Pub Date : 2026-06-30 DOI:10.1016/j.fas.2026.06.017

Brian Rigney, James Storme, Ross Condell, Eamonn I Coveney, Stephen R Kearns

{"title":"Weightbearing after ankle fracture fixation; A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, a modern perspective.","authors":"Brian Rigney, James Storme, Ross Condell, Eamonn I Coveney, Stephen R Kearns","doi":"10.1016/j.fas.2026.06.017","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Background: Optimal post-operative rehabilitation after ankle fracture fixation remains debated, particularly regarding early versus non weightbearing. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated outcomes following these weightbearing protocols.Methods: A comprehensive search of scientific databases was performed on 12 December 2025 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published within 20 years comparing early weightbearing (≤2 weeks) with non weightbearing (≥6 weeks) after ankle fracture fixation.Results: Six RCTs (1190 patients) were included. Early weightbearing significantly improved Olerud-Molander Ankle Scores at 6 weeks (MD 6.63, 95%CI 4.66-8.60; p < 0.0001) and 3 months (MD 3.70, 95%CI 1.57-5.82; p = 0.0007), and EuroQol-5D scores at 6 weeks (MD 6.62, 95%CI 3.71-9.54; p < 0.0001). Differences were not maintained beyond 6 months. Complication rates were similar between groups.Conclusion: Early weightbearing improves short-term functional outcomes without increasing complications. These findings support its use in appropriately selected patients with stable fixation and adequate bone quality, facilitating earlier recovery without compromising safety.Level of evidence: 1a; Systematic review of randomised controlled trial.","PeriodicalId":48743,"journal":{"name":"Foot and Ankle Surgery","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Foot and Ankle Surgery","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fas.2026.06.017","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"ORTHOPEDICS","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Optimal post-operative rehabilitation after ankle fracture fixation remains debated, particularly regarding early versus non weightbearing. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated outcomes following these weightbearing protocols.

Methods: A comprehensive search of scientific databases was performed on 12 December 2025 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published within 20 years comparing early weightbearing (≤2 weeks) with non weightbearing (≥6 weeks) after ankle fracture fixation.

Results: Six RCTs (1190 patients) were included. Early weightbearing significantly improved Olerud-Molander Ankle Scores at 6 weeks (MD 6.63, 95%CI 4.66-8.60; p < 0.0001) and 3 months (MD 3.70, 95%CI 1.57-5.82; p = 0.0007), and EuroQol-5D scores at 6 weeks (MD 6.62, 95%CI 3.71-9.54; p < 0.0001). Differences were not maintained beyond 6 months. Complication rates were similar between groups.

Conclusion: Early weightbearing improves short-term functional outcomes without increasing complications. These findings support its use in appropriately selected patients with stable fixation and adequate bone quality, facilitating earlier recovery without compromising safety.

Level of evidence: 1a; Systematic review of randomised controlled trial.

查看原文本刊更多论文

踝关节骨折固定后负重；随机对照试验的系统回顾和荟萃分析，现代视角。

背景：踝关节骨折固定后的最佳术后康复仍然存在争议，特别是早期与非负重。本系统综述和荟萃分析评估了这些负重方案的结果。方法：我们于2025年12月12日对科学数据库进行了全面检索，以比较踝关节骨折固定后早期负重（≤2周）和非负重（≥6周）的20年内发表的随机对照试验（rct）。结果：纳入6项随机对照试验（rct），共1190例患者。早期负重可显著改善6周时Olerud-Molander踝关节评分（MD 6.63, 95%CI 4.66-8.60; p ）结论：早期负重可改善短期功能结局，且不增加并发症。这些发现支持在适当选择固定稳定且骨质量足够的患者中使用，促进早期恢复而不影响安全性。证据等级：1a；随机对照试验的系统评价。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Foot and Ankle Surgery ORTHOPEDICS-

CiteScore

4.60

自引率

16.00%

发文量

202

期刊介绍： Foot and Ankle Surgery is essential reading for everyone interested in the foot and ankle and its disorders. The approach is broad and includes all aspects of the subject from basic science to clinical management. Problems of both children and adults are included, as is trauma and chronic disease. Foot and Ankle Surgery is the official journal of European Foot and Ankle Society. The aims of this journal are to promote the art and science of ankle and foot surgery, to publish peer-reviewed research articles, to provide regular reviews by acknowledged experts on common problems, and to provide a forum for discussion with letters to the Editors. Reviews of books are also published. Papers are invited for possible publication in Foot and Ankle Surgery on the understanding that the material has not been published elsewhere or accepted for publication in another journal and does not infringe prior copyright.