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Immediate Vs. Delayed Weight Bearing Postoperative Protocol in Diabetic Ankle Fractures

Who can join

Ages 18 and older · All sexes

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults 18 and ove
2. Positive for diabetes
3. Positive monofilament test
4. Isolated ankle fracture (non-pilon) and undergoing operative intervention within 3 weeks of fracture
5. Weight less than 275 (124kg)
6. Can tolerate and comply with brace
7. No signs of pre-existing charcot arthroplasty or ankle deformity

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Children
2. Pregnant patients
3. No signs of diabetes complicated by neuropathy
4. Non-operative ankle fractures
5. Multiple extremity injury
6. Cannot follow post-operative protocol
7. Chronic ankle fractures receiving surgery beyond 3 weeks of injury

About the study

Operatively managed diabetic ankle fractures have significant risk for complications. The cause for failure is likely multifactorial, however, a component of failure has to do with an inability to process pain and pressure normally. This loss of protective sensation allows for an increase in abnormal stresses placed on the recently repaired fractures. Historically, diabetics have been kept non weight bearing for extended periods of time, which has its own functional and cardiovascular issues. The purpose of the study is to determine if a protocol of immediate weight bearing with a hindfoot offloading brace after surgically corrected ankle fracture in a diabetic patient will maintain adequate motion, have no difference in complications when compared to regular non-immediate weight bearing protocols, and lead to good outcome scores and patient satisfaction scores

What is being tested

• Postoperative protocol (Immediate weight bearing) (other)
• Postoperative Protocol (Delayed Weight Bearing) (other)

Sponsor: Kyle Schweser MD · Participants: 25 · Started: Aug 1, 2020

Contact the study team

• Vicki L Jones, MEd · Phone: 573-882-7583
• Ennio Rizzo Esposito, MD · Phone: 3468126445

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT03966027

Locations in the U.S.

Conditions

• Ankle Injuries and Disorders

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.