The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
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For ankle fractures, in general, several studies have been published on immobilization (e.g., cast or boot) versus early motion after surgical treatment. However, no studies have been performed to determine the best aftercare strategy for surgically treated patients with ankle fractures with concomitant acute distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries. The aim of the present review was to compare the functional outcomes of ankle fractures with syndesmotic injury treated with a cast or boot versus early motion. ⋯ The Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment score for immobilization was 11 and for early motion ranged from 12 to 27 points. No apparent differences could be detected in the published data considering the functional outcomes between immobilization versus an early motion protocol in ankle fractures with acute distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries treated with a syndesmotic screw. However, level 1 and 2 studies on this subject are lacking.