Suture-button syndesmosis fixation: accelerated rehabilitation and improved outcomes.
Brian Thornes, Fintan Shannon, Anne-Marie Guiney...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15685077Actively Recruiting
Led by Maimonides Medical Center · Updated on 2026-03-20
56
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
M
Maimonides Medical Center
Lead Sponsor
J
Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development, L.L.C.
Collaborating Sponsor
This research aims to evaluate the Fibulink Syndesmosis Repair System's ability to maintain proper alignment of the ankle syndesmosis after injury. Proper reduction is essential to avoid chronic instability, joint damage, and arthritis. The study focuses on patients with ankle fractures involving syndesmotic disruption, comparing early versus normal timing to begin full weight bearing after surgery. Participants will undergo surgical fixation of their ankle fractures, including the Fibulink system for syndesmotic repair if instability is detected during surgery. Two groups are studied: one begins full weight bearing with a Controlled Ankle Motion (CAM) boot at 4 weeks post-operation, and the other at 6 weeks. Postoperative care includes short leg casting initially, followed by CAM boot use and physical therapy. Participants will be followed and assessed at 2 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 8-10 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. At each visit, imaging will measure the quality of ankle alignment and joint space. Researchers will also track surgical details, complications, and any need for reoperation. The main outcome is the ankle reduction quality at 6 months, with additional timepoint assessments and safety monitoring throughout the study.
CONDITIONS
Fibulink Syndesmosis Repair System With Early Full-Weight Bearing
You may qualify if you...
You will not qualify if you...
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit
Duration - Up to 2 weeks
Participants undergo surgery to fix ankle fractures and, if needed, syndesmotic fixation using the Fibulink Syndesmosis Repair System. Postoperative care includes placement in a short leg cast.
1 surgical procedure and 1 post-operative visit at 2 weeks
Duration - Up to 10 weeks
Participants follow a recovery plan with cast removal, suture removal, and transition to a CAM boot with early ankle motion. Full weight bearing is initiated at 4 or 6 weeks depending on the study group, followed by physical therapy and gradual removal of the CAM boot.
Visits at 2 weeks, 4-6 weeks, and 8-10 weeks postoperatively
Duration - Up to 6 months
Participants continue follow-up assessments to monitor recovery and reduction quality at 3 and 6 months after surgery.
Visits at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively
Total: 1 location
1
Maimonides Medical Center
Brooklyn, New York, United States, 11219
Actively Recruiting
A
Amr A Abdelgawad, MD PhD MBA
A
Ariel N Rodriguez, MD
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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