Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40608204›Full record

SynthesisJournal of orthopaedics and traumatology : official journal of the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology2025

The role of early weight bearing in the aftertreatment of unilateral displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures: a systematic review and pooled analysis.

Coen Verstappen, Mitchell L S Driessen, Lloyd Brandts, Michael J R Edwards, Martijn Poeze, Erik Hermans, Pishtiwan H S Kalmet

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of orthopaedics and traumatology : official journal of the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. [Study on Holosight robot-assisted fixation versus fixation via sinus tarsi approach in treatment of calcaneal fractures].Zhongguo xiu fu chong jian wai ke za zhi = Zhongguo xiufu chongjian waike zazhi = Chinese journal of reparative and reconstructive surgery · 2026
    Article
  5. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Coen VerstappenDepartment of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Coen.Verstappen@mumc.nl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0254-7002
Mitchell L S DriessenDepartment of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9699-5422
Lloyd BrandtsDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0620-1271
Michael J R EdwardsDepartment of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Martijn PoezeDepartment of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5005-1285
Erik HermansDepartment of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5884-3954
Pishtiwan H S KalmetDepartment of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P.O. Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3478-6932

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDisplaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs) remain a complex challenge in orthopedic practice due to their complexity and the intricate nature of surgical interventions. While surgical techniques have evolved, postoperative rehabilitation is equally crucial for achieving optimal outcomes. This systematic review evaluates the effects of early weight bearing (EWB) in surgically treated patients with unilateral DIACFs on patient-reported outcomes, health-related quality of life, postoperative pain, differences in Böhler's angle, and complication rates.

methodsA systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to January 2025. Eligible studied included adults (≥ 18 years) who underwent surgery for unilateral DIACFs (Sanders type II-IV), implemented an EWB protocol, reported at least one patient-reported outcome, and were published from 2000 onward. Data extraction and quality assessment were conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

resultsFrom 1007 identified records, 20 studies (n = 1051 DIACFs) met the inclusion criteria. Pooled results showed a mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score of 85.7, Maryland Foot Score of 91.1, and visual analog score of 1.9. The analysis revealed a decline of 0.4 degrees in Böhler's angle from postoperative to last follow-up. The overall complication rate was 13.9%.

conclusionsEWB protocols appear to be safe and beneficial in the postoperative management of DIACFs, yielding favorable outcomes without increased complication rates. These findings support the reconsideration of current conservative weight-bearing guidelines. Future research should focus on the development of standardized, evidence-based after-treatment guidelines. Level of evidence Level I. Trial registration PROSPERO CRD42022280985.

Indexed as

CalcaneusIntra-Articular FracturesWeight-BearingHumansPatient Reported Outcome MeasuresQuality of LifeAftertreatmentAOFAS scoreDisplaced intraarticular calcaneal fracturesEarly weight bearingPostoperative rehabilitationTrauma patients

Identifiers

PMID40608204
PMCPMC12229482

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.