Deep Deltoid Ligament Integrity in Weber B Ankle Fractures - Mini-invasive Arthroscopic Evaluation.

NCT ID: NCT04674046

Last Updated: 2020-12-17

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-09-15

Study Completion Date

2024-09-15

Brief Summary

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Prospective cohort study to evaluate the use of a NanoScopic procedure to assess deltoid ligament injuries with outcomes measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 1 year and 2 years. Further to examine whether the findings correlate with results on gravity stress test and weightbearing radiographs.

Detailed Description

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Purpose and research question The main purpose is to evaluate integrity in the deep deltoid ligament in ankles with isolated Weber type B fractures using a minimally invasive Nanoscopic technique. Further results of a Nanoscopic evaluation will be correlated to the results of gravity stress and weightbearing radiographs. Additionally, the Nanoscopic evaluation will be used to assess associated injuries including cartilage and syndesmotic lesions.

Methods Primary evaluation will be done in the acute setting. All isolated Weber type B fractures without radiological signs of instability (medial clear space of 7 mm or less) on initial non-weightbearing radiographs presenting to our clinic will be evaluated for inclusion. Nanoscopic evaluation will determine stability for all patients with radiographic measurements indicating "uncertain stability". "Uncertain stability" of the ankle is assumed when at least one out of 3 (plain-, gravity- or weightbearing-) radiographs is showing instability. Like Seidel et al. (2017), in the event of a MCS of over 7 mm on initial non-weightbearing radiographs the ankle is considered unstable and will be evaluated for surgery. These patients will not be evaluated for inclusion.

For radiographic tests the size of the MCS will make up an indirect measurement of deltoid ligament capacity. The MCS is defined as the distance between the medial border of the talus and the lateral border of the medial malleolus on a line parallel to and 5 mm below the talar dome on anteroposterior radiographs. A MCS of 5 mm or less defines the ankle as stable. An MCS \>5 mm AND 1 mm or more increase compared to the contralateral (non-injured ankle) ankle defines the ankle as unstable.

Plain-, weightbearing- and gravity stress radiographs and nanoscopic evaluation will be done 3-14 days after injury at the outpatient clinic. The radiographic test battery will be done prior to nanoscopy. Only patients demonstrating at least one positive stress radiograph (weightbearing or gravity) or a plain radiograph with a MCS measurement above the threshold (5 mm AND 1 mm or more increase compared to the contralateral ankle) will undergo nanoscopic evaluation.

Participants with "uncertain" stability will be assigned to non-operative or surgical treatment based on ankle stability evaluation using results from the NanoScopic evaluation consistently. Stability is assumed when the posterior part of the deep deltoid ligament is visible and intact. Stable ankles will be treated non-operatively with a functional brace (AirCast) for 6 weeks. Participants will be instructed to bear weight as tolerated and to actively do standardized range-of-motion exercises. Unstable ankles will be operated on. Standard operative treatment is open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture using plate and screws. The goal is an osteosynthesis that allow for early range-of-motion exercises, but weightbearing is usually not tolerated until 6 weeks postoperatively.

Conditions

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Ankle Fracture - Lateral Malleolus Deltoid Ligament; Sprain (Strain) (Ankle) Ankle Fractures

Keywords

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Weber B Rotational ankle fracture Ankle stability Deep deltoid ligament Deltoid ligament injury

Study Design

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Allocation Method

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Prospective cohort study where participants will be assigned to nonoperative or operative treatment based on minimally invasive arthroscopic evaluation.
Primary Study Purpose

DIAGNOSTIC

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Nonoperative treatment if deltoid ligament is intact

AirCast Air-stirrup (DJO Global) functional orthosis for 6 weeks.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Nonoperative treatment

Intervention Type DEVICE

Patients where the ankle is evaluated as stable using arthroscopy will be treated with conservative treatment using a functional brace (AirCast) for 6 weeks. Participants will be instructed to bear weight as tolerated and to actively do standardized range-of-motion exercises.

Standardized education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

All participants, regardless of group allocation, will receive education focusing on basic self- management. A physiotherapist will be responsible for the education. The intention will be to increase self-efficacy and encourage self-management. Participants will learn about crutch walking, cast or orthosis usage, loading principles, be advised to stay physically active within proper restrictions and how to rest and reduce pain and swelling of the ankle in the acute phase. Participants will also receive a standard information brochure about the condition, treatment and basic self-management.

Operative treatment if deltoid ligament is ruptured

Open reduction, internal fixation of the fibular fracture using plate and screws.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Operative treatment

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Patients where the ankle is evaluated as unstable using arthroscopy will be operated on. Standard operative treatment is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the fracture using plate and screws. The goal is an osteosynthesis that allow for early range-of-motion exercises, but weightbearing is usually not tolerated until 6 weeks postoperatively.

Standardized education

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

All participants, regardless of group allocation, will receive education focusing on basic self- management. A physiotherapist will be responsible for the education. The intention will be to increase self-efficacy and encourage self-management. Participants will learn about crutch walking, cast or orthosis usage, loading principles, be advised to stay physically active within proper restrictions and how to rest and reduce pain and swelling of the ankle in the acute phase. Participants will also receive a standard information brochure about the condition, treatment and basic self-management.

Interventions

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Nonoperative treatment

Patients where the ankle is evaluated as stable using arthroscopy will be treated with conservative treatment using a functional brace (AirCast) for 6 weeks. Participants will be instructed to bear weight as tolerated and to actively do standardized range-of-motion exercises.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Operative treatment

Patients where the ankle is evaluated as unstable using arthroscopy will be operated on. Standard operative treatment is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the fracture using plate and screws. The goal is an osteosynthesis that allow for early range-of-motion exercises, but weightbearing is usually not tolerated until 6 weeks postoperatively.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Standardized education

All participants, regardless of group allocation, will receive education focusing on basic self- management. A physiotherapist will be responsible for the education. The intention will be to increase self-efficacy and encourage self-management. Participants will learn about crutch walking, cast or orthosis usage, loading principles, be advised to stay physically active within proper restrictions and how to rest and reduce pain and swelling of the ankle in the acute phase. Participants will also receive a standard information brochure about the condition, treatment and basic self-management.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Other Intervention Names

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Conservative Treatment Open reduction, internal fixation

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Patients:

* With isolated Weber type B fractures without radiological signs of medial clear space widening on initial plain radiographs (MCS \< 7mm).
* Demonstrating at least one positive stress radiograph (weightbearing or gravity) or a plain radiograph with a MCS measurement above the threshold (5 mm AND 1 mm or more increase compared to the contralateral ankle) (WP2).
* 18-80 years of age.
* With pre-injury walking ability without aids.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients:

* With fracture of the medial malleolus, pre-hospital closed fracture reduction, open fracture, fracture resulting from high-energy trauma or multi-trauma and pathologic fracture.
* With poorly regulated Diabetes Mellitus type 1 and 2, neuropathies and generalized joint disease such as Rheumatoid Arthritis.
* That are assumed not compliant (drug use, cognitive- and/or psychiatric disorders).
* With previous history of ipsilateral ankle fracture.
* With previous history of ipsilateral major ankle-/foot surgery.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

80 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Ostfold Hospital Trust

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Marius Molund

Senior Consultant Foot and Ankle Surgery

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Marius Molund, Md, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Ostfold HT

Locations

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Østfold HT

Sarpsborg, Østfold fylke, Norway

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Norway

Central Contacts

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Marius Molund, MD, PhD

Role: CONTACT

Phone: +4790093988

Email: [email protected]

Martin G Gregersen, PT, Msc

Role: CONTACT

Phone: +4748171718

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Marius Molund, MD, PhD

Role: primary

Martin G Gregersen, PT, Msc

Role: backup

Other Identifiers

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123245

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id