Rethinking Ankle Fracture Recovery: Let's Put a Spring in Our Step​

When treating ankle fractures, the conventional wisdom typically involves a long, six-week period of non-weight bearing (NWB). But, what if we flipped the script and started walking a bit sooner? After all, who wants to sit around dealing with muscle atrophy, an increased risk of blood clots, and the blues?

Getting back on our feet sooner: No strings attached

In a recent study, researchers split ankle fracture patients into two groups: one group followed a two-week NWB squad, while the other adhered to a six-week NWB crew. Guess what? The early walkers didn’t experience any extra complications. Talk about a win-win! It seems the takeaway here is: don’t be afraid to take those first steps early. 

Nailing it: A battle of the nails

Now, let’s discuss our golden years, particularly when ankle fractures and soft tissue injuries are involved. Researchers looked at whether fibular nails could significantly benefit elderly patients. In a retrospective study of 56 patients, they found that although both hindfoot nails and fibular nails were effective in promoting healing, fibular nails led to better functional outcomes and fewer complications. 

Takeaway

Let’s watch this fibular nail space for more research, as there are promising reasons to be  optimistic.