by Vince Vacketta, DPM Two recent studies shed light on early weightbearing and mobilization following ankle fracture ORIF:  Study 1  – Hybrid cast and brace vs. traditional cast This study compared a hybrid approach (short cast followed by a functional brace) with the traditional six-week cast, evaluating function, pain, complications over two years. It found that rigid, long-duration immobilization is not necessarily superior. More flexible or functional approaches can matc