SynthesisArchives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery2025
Early versus delayed weightbearing for postoperative ankle fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Synthesis in Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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
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.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Comment on "Construct validation of machine learning models for predicting surgical site infection risk following ankle fracture surgery".International journal of surgery (London, England) · 2026Article
- Six Weeks in Orthopedics: Biological Basis, Clinical Practice, and Evidence for a Universal Benchmark.Orthopedic reviews · 2026Article
- Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThis meta-analysis aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness of an early weightbearing (EWB) strategy (walking two weeks after surgery) with a delayed weightbearing strategy (DWB) (walking six weeks after surgery) for postoperative ankle fractures.
methodsFour databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing EWB with DWB in patients with postoperative ankle fracture. Outcomes included the Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), time to return to work/life, and complications. After screening the literature according to eligibility criteria, data extraction, quality evaluation, and meta-analysis were performed using RevMan 5.3 software. The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.
resultsTen RCTs with 1276 patients were included in this study. Compared with the DWB group, the EWB group showed greater improvement in OMAS in the early postoperative stage (six weeks) [MD = 5.86, 95% CI = (3.64, 8.08), P < 0.001] and middle stage (12 weeks to four months) [MD = 3.17, 95% CI = (0.84, 5.50), P = 0.008]. However, no significant difference was observed in the late stage (12 months) [MD = 1.86, 95% CI = (-0.50, 4.22), P = 0.12]. In addition, the EWB strategy shortened the average time to return to work/daily life [MD=-1.75, 95% CI = (-2.52, -0.98), P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference in complications between the EWB and the DWB groups [RR = 1.34, 95% CI = (0.96, 1.86), P = 0.08].
conclusionThe results revealed that the EWB strategy was safe and effective in improving OMAS in the early and middle postoperative stages. Additionally, EWB enabled patients to return to work and daily life earlier than DWB did. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 1.
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Registered trials
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