Comparing Function, Pain and Return to Work in Conservative Versus Surgical Treated Stable Lateral Malleolar Fractures

Plain-language summary

Ankle fractures are one of the most common fractures in adults resulting in hospital stays and inability to work. Instable or dislocated ankle fractures are mostly treated by surgery. Treatment of stable lateral ankle fractures is still discussed controversial. They can be treated conservatively as well as by surgery. Furthermore, optimal aftercare is part of on-going discussion in both groups. Goal of any treatment is a fast, good functional outcome with pain free patients at low overall costs. Long-term results in terms of osteoarthritis should be kept in mind. The investigators seek to compare conservative and operative treatment in stable lateral ankle fractures in a prospective, randomised trial. The hypothesis is that there is no difference between conservative and surgically treated stable lateral malleolar fractures regarding pain, function, and return to the workplace.

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