AIR: Ankle Injury Rehabilitation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Ankle Injury Rehabilitation: Is it feasible to conduct a randomised controlled trial to assess the difference between functional bracing versus plaster cast for the treatment of surgically fixed ankle fractures.
IRAS ID
185990
Contact name
Rebecca Kearney
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Warwick
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Ankle fractures are a common injury, with an incidence of 184 per 100,000 annually, and this figure is expected to increase three fold by 2030. The immediate impact on the patient includes difficulty walking and pain, with longer term impacts including an inability to participate in recreational/work activities and development of arthritis in the ankle.
Following surgical fixation of the fracture, the post-operative rehabilitation traditionally consists of plaster cast immobilisation for several weeks. A cast provides maximum support to the healing bones of the ankle. However, there are potential risks and complications associated with prolonged immobilization. These include joint stiffness, muscle wastage and deep vein thrombosis in the short term, potentially leading to an inability to return to previous activity levels in the long term. Alternative functional bracing may potentially addresses these issues. However, it does not provide the same degree of support to the healing ankle.
This study aims to determine whether it is feasible to conduct a full randomised controlled trial to assess the difference between functional bracing versus plaster cast for the treatment of surgically fixed ankle fractures. It will evaluate factors that are needed to design the main study. These factors include: how many patients have the injury; how many take part; how many complete follow up and how best to collect and analyse the information. To answer these we will complete a single centre randomised controlled trial of standard plaster cast rehabilitation versus functional bracing. Fifty consenting patients will be allocated to either a functional brace or a plaster cast. The effect of the injury and the patients’ recovery will be assessed using a questionnaire, with follow up at six weeks, three and six months.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0340
Date of REC Opinion
21 Oct 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion