SynthesisBMC musculoskeletal disorders2025
Comparative efficacy of cast immobilization versus removable braces in patients with ankle fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Early weight-bearing following surgical fixation of ankle fractures without trans-syndesmotic fixation: safety and early functional outcomes - a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026Pooled it
- Early versus delayed weightbearing for postoperative ankle fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery · 2025Pooled it
- Impact of Initial Immobilization Method on Outcomes in Unstable Weber B Ankle Fractures: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Foot & ankle orthopaedics · 2026Article
- Review
- Removable brace as a viable alternative to cast immobilization for ankle fractures-a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in medicine · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundAn effective and appropriate method to support the ankle joint optimally is particularly important during the healing phase of ankle fractures. The purpose of this review was to assess the functional outcomes, ankle-related quality of life, and associated complications of cast immobilization versus removable braces for the treatment of adult ankle fractures.
methodsStudies comparing cast immobilization and removable braces after ankle fracture were included by systematic searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE databases according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Evaluation and Meta-Analysis Statements) guidelines. Primary outcome measures included early to mid-late Olerud Molander Ankle Score (OMAS). Secondary outcomes were ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, swelling, pain, time to return to work, calf muscle atrophy, and complications. Subgroup analysis was performed. Risk of bias was assessed in both randomized controlled trials and cohort studies.
resultsEleven studies including 1485 patients met the eligibility criteria. The fracture types of the study included Weber A/B/C and Lauge-Hansen supination external rotation (SER), supination-adduction (SA), pronation-external rotation (PER) and pronation-abduction (PA). The results of the meta-analysis showed that removable braces had better early (mean difference (MD) -2.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) -4.26, 0.00) and mid-term functional outcomes (MD -5.81; 95% CI -10.35, -1.27) after ankle fracture compared with cast immobilization. In addition, removable braces caused significantly more wound breakdown (Odds ratio (OR) 0.39; 95% CI 0.17, 0.90) and wound infections (OR 0.32; 95% CI 0.17, 0.58) than cast immobilization.
conclusionCompared with cast immobilization, removable braces had better functional outcomes in the early and mid-term periods after ankle fractures and were less likely to result in deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Overall, the removable brace is a comfortable ankle fracture option that might improve functional outcomes.
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