Early vs Delayed Weightbearing After Surgical Fixation of Unstable Ankle Fractures With Syndesmosis Disruption

Inclusion Criteria: * Unilateral ankle injury with unstable syndesmotic rupture, in the setting of isolated syndesmotic sprain, fibular fracture, bimalleolar, or trimalleolar equivalent ankle fracture * Surgical fixation of syndesmosis and/or ankle within two weeks of injury * Closed or low grade open (Gustilo-Anderson grade I \& II low-energy injuries without gross contamination) fractures * Skeletally mature patients with closed physis Exclusion Criteria: * Previous ipsilateral ankle surgery * Bilateral ankle fractures or concurrent other lower extremity injuries/major injuries that would affect recovery time * Inability to co-operate with post-op protocol (advanced dementia, polytrauma patient, developmental delay, etc.) * Non-ambulatory pre-injury * Tibial plafond fractures including articular impaction requiring elevation * Peripheral neuropathy * BMI over 45