Gait Analysis Evaluation of Early Weight-Bearing After Surgical Fixation of Ankle Fractures: A Prospective Observational Study.

Authors

Belinda Trobec, Simone Strano, Giulia Sgubin, Alex Buoite Stella, Andrea Marchetti, Manuela Deodato, Luigi Murena, Gianluca Canton

Published in

Annali italiani di chirurgia. Volume 97. Issue 7. Pages 1192-1198. Jul 14, 2026.

Abstract

Post-operative weight-bearing strategies after surgical fixation of ankle fractures remain controversial. This prospective observational pilot study aimed to evaluate whether an early weight-bearing (EWB) protocol influences weight-bearing symmetry during static stance and clinical and functional recovery compared with a restricted weight-bearing protocol.
Thirty-three patients undergoing surgical fixation for ankle fractures were allocated to either EWB (n = 17) or restricted weight-bearing (RWB) (n = 16) according to surgeon preference and fracture characteristics. Clinical, radiographic, and gait analysis outcomes were assessed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was weight-bearing symmetry during bipodalic static stance. Secondary outcomes included subjective return to balance, independence in activities of daily living (ADL), and return to work. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests.
At 6 weeks, the EWB group demonstrated significantly greater weight-bearing symmetry during static stance compared to the RWB group (eyes open, p = 0.048; eyes closed, p = 0.044). Patients in the EWB group also showed higher rates of subjective return to balance (76% vs 31%, p = 0.009) and ADL independence (82% vs 50%, p = 0.049). No significant differences were observed in return to work (p = 0.805). No complications were observed in either group.
In this small observational cohort, early weight-bearing was associated with improved early weight-bearing symmetry and functional recovery without observed complications. These findings should be interpreted cautiously, due to the study design and sample size and require confirmation in larger controlled studies.

PMID:
42464834
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 17 Jul 2026.

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