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

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.