Operative Versus Non Operative Treatment for Unstable Ankle Fractures

A Prospective Randomized Multi-Centre Study to Compare Operative Versus Non Operative Functional Treatment in Patients With Unstable Isolated Fibula Fractures

The purpose of the study is to compare functional outcomes and recovery following surgical and non surgical treatment of potentially unstable , isolated fibula fractures. Secondary objectives are to compare the re-operation rate, time to union and complications between the two treatment groups.

The primary research questions:

1. Does surgery provide a better functional outcome compared to non operative treatment of undisplaced, unstable fractures?
2. Do patients with these fractures return to activities faster after operative or non operative treatment?
3. Are complications more common with operative or non operative care?

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Ankle Injuries
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: non operative treatment; Procedure: operative treatment of ankle fractures

Detailed Description

The most controversial ankle fracture is the Weber B fracture in which the fibular (or lateral malleolar) fracture begins at the level of the ankle mortise and extends proximal and lateral. This fracture can exist as isolated fractures of the lateral malleolus, or bimalleolar injuries in which both lateral and medial malleoli are fractured. When both malleoli are fractured, the ankle has lost all of its bony support and is unstable. In contrast, if only the lateral malleolus is injured, the Weber B injury may be either stable or unstable. When the ankle is subluxed or dislocated in these injuries, the ankle is clearly unstable. However, when the ankle is not initially subluxed, the assessment of stability is more difficult. Stability in isolated lateral malleolar fractures depends upon the status of the medial, or deltoid, ligaments. Further complicating matters, the deltoid ligament may be intact, partially torn, or completely torn such that there is a spectrum of stability for these injuries.Previous studies relied upon an assessment of tenderness over the ligament to determine instability, but this may not differentiate between partial and complete tears.

In North America, most surgeons would agree that markedly unstable definitely unstable ankle fractures are best treated surgically.Therefore, Weber B fractures which involve fractures of both the medial and lateral malleolus are best treated by surgical stabilization. Furthermore, Weber B fractures involving only the lateral malleolus, but which present with lateral subluxation of the talus, are definitely unstable and require fixation.

In contrast, controversy exists between surgeons regarding the optimal means of treating an undisplaced but potentially unstable fibula fracture. Many surgeons recommend routine operative fixation, while others recommend routine non-operative treatment.A clear rationale exists for both types of treatment.

The most important factor in treatment includes maintaining the reduction of the talus within the ankle mortise. Even 1 mm of displacement or lateral shift of the talus will affect ankle joint loading and lead to dysfunction and potentially arthritis. Other issues include the potential benefits of earlier mobilization and rehabilitation.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 80
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • LOndon, Ontario, Canada, N6A 4G5
      • London Health Sciences Centre- Victoria Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Skeletally mature male or female < 65 years of age
2. Unstable ankle on stress exam: medial clear space ³ 5 mm: no Mortise shift on static radiographs
3. Unilateral Weber B fibular fractures
4. Closed fracture
5. Provision of informed consent -

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Fractures not amenable to surgical treatment
2. Pathologic fracture
3. Associated injuries to the foot, ankle, tibia, or knee
4. Associated medial malleolus fracture
5. Surgical delay of >2 weeks from time of injury
6. Previous fracture or retained hardware in the affected limb
7. Associated neurovascular injury or deficit in the affected limb
8. Systemic diseases including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and other disorders which might affect peripheral sensorimotor function -

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: 1; Non operative treatment of Weber B ankle fracture. Use of cast, with no surgical intervention	Procedure: non operative treatment; non operative treatment -casting for 6 weeks
Active Comparator: 2; Operative treatment of Weber B ankle fracture. Open reduction and internal fixation to repair a broken bones.	Procedure: operative treatment of ankle fractures; operative treatment of ankle fractures

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Primary outcome: comparison of physical functioning score on SF36	enrolment, 6 weeks, 3,6 12 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Secondary objectives are to compare the re-operation rate between operative and non-operative treatment and to compare the time to union, rates of nonunion and complications such as infection between the two groups.	Number of participants with complications or adverse events that ae related to treatment	enrolment, 6 weeks, 3,6,12 months

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Lawson Health Research Institute
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: DR. David Sanders, M.D., FRCSC, Western University, Canada

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: June 1, 2003
• Primary Completion (Actual): August 1, 2010
• Study Completion (Actual): August 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 13, 2006
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 13, 2006
• First Posted (Estimate): June 14, 2006

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): September 7, 2016
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 6, 2016
• Last Verified: September 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: undisplaced ,unstable wEBER B ankle fractures; operative intervention; non operative intervention
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Fractures, Bone; Wounds and Injuries; Leg Injuries; Ankle Injuries; Ankle Fractures
• Other Study ID Numbers: R-03-113; HSREB09641 (Other Identifier: Western University Research Ethics)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No