Ankle Fracture Treatment: Enhancing Rehabilitation - the AFTER study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising mobility after ankle fracture in older adults: intervention refinement for a multicentre feasibility randomised controlled trial. The AFTER study
IRAS ID
230558
Contact name
David Keene
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 25 days
Research summary
Broken ankles represent a high proportion of injuries treated in the NHS. The most severe injuries require surgery to align the bones. Broken ankles are the second most common injury undergoing surgical repair in the NHS. An increasing number of these injuries are in older adults, for these people, an ankle injury can be the start of a decline in their ability to move around confidently as the limb can feel weak, walking is difficult, balance worsens and a fear of further falls is common.
After surgery patients have a splint for 6 weeks to protect the ankle and then start their recovery, which usually takes at least 6 months. NHS Physiotherapy provision for older adults after surgery varies, patients may not get any physiotherapy, but usual care is a session of advice with the option of further sessions.
This study - the AFTER study is the start of a programme of work to design a trial that would test 2 options of treating patients with a broken ankle.
We are seeking approval for an all day meeting and questionnaire to plan such a trial that would involve patients, patient representatives and health care professionals coming together to offer their thoughts on what a trial should consist of. Please note this application is NOT seeking approval for any subsequent trial, only approval for the all day meeting and questionnaire.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1382
Date of REC Opinion
9 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion