Compared to conventional physiotherapy, does the use of an ankle trainer device after Weber B ankle fracture operation improve outcome and shorten hospital stay? A randomized controlled trial. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Molund, Marius; Hellesnes, Jan; Berdal, Gøran; Andreassen, Bernt Stray; Andreassen, Geir Stray
• Is Part Of: Clinical rehabilitation. Volume 34:Number 8(2020)
• Page Start: 1040
• Page End: 1047
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Ankle injury -- foot and ankle -- orthopaedic outcomes -- stretching -- passive movement device; Medical rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 617.03
• DOI: 10.1177/0269215520929727
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-2155

Abstract

Objective: To compare the functional outcomes and length of hospital stay for patients treated with conventional physiotherapy compared to a new ankle trainer device after Weber B ankle fractures. Design: The patients were randomized, and then followed up at 3, 6, 12 and 52 weeks by a blinded physiotherapist. Setting: This study was done at a level 1 trauma centre. Subjects: One hundred and forty consecutive patients with Weber B ankle fractures that were operated on were screened for eligibility, of whom 113 were included in the study. Interventions: Conventional physiotherapy with stretching exercises, using a non-elastic band or using new ankle trainer. Main measures: Outcomes were evaluated with Olerud–Molander ankle score, Visual analogue scale for pain and ankle dorsiflexion at 3, 6, 12 and 52 weeks follow-up. Time of hospitalization and complications were registered. Results: Superior Olerud–Molander ankle scores were observed at three weeks follow-up in the ankle trainer group 40.9 (10.8), compared to the conventional group 35.3 (14.2) ( P = 0.021). At one-year follow-up, there was no difference between the groups ( P = 0.386). The ankle trainer group had a shorter hospital stay with a mean 2.6 days (0.98) compared to 3.2 days (1.47) in the conventional group ( P = 0.026). Conclusion: The patients who were treated with the new ankle trainer device recovered more rapidly, evaluated by the Olerud–Molander ankle score and had a shorter stay in hospital compared to the conventional physiotherapy group. No between group differences could be observed at long-term follow-up.