Patients who sustain broken ankles have a very high risk of developing arthritis soon after injury (within 2 years). This arthritis can cause increased pain and a decrease level of function, especially if the injury occurs at an early age. During and shortly after ankle injury, there is an inflammatory chemical process that takes place in the ankle that can cause damage to the cartilage in the ankle joint. The investigators want to use what is called Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), which is produced from a small amount of the patient's own blood, to inject into the injured ankle to see if they can decrease the inflammation that happens after the injury and to see if they can decrease arthritis.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Closed unilateral pilon fracture
Exclusion Criteria:
* Patients who are younger than 18 years of age
* Open pilon fracture
* Patients with contralateral lower extremity injury
* Patients unable to comply with the follow-up appointments
* Patients who had previous ankle injury to the currently injured ankle
* Patients who are pregnant
* Prisoners
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Intra-articular Inflammatory Biomarkers at the Time of Definitive Fixation
Timeframe: 2 weeks after external fixation
2
Number of Participants With Presence of Post-traumatic Osteoarthritis 18 Months After Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF)