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.
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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.
SUBMITTER: Molund M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7372581 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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