Syndesmosis Ankle Study

A debate regarding ankle fracture fixation centers on time to weight bearing. Recent literature has supported immediate weight bearing in surgically stabilized ankle fractures. However, significant variation among orthopaedic surgeons persists, and weight bearing recommendations change when there is a syndesmotic disruption. There is very little literature on time to weight bearing, with most available series casting/immobilizing these injuries for 6 weeks after fixation. There is very little data examining post-operative weight bearing after syndesmotic stabilization, and the majority centers on screw fixation. The minimum time to weight bearing after an ankle fracture with syndesmotic fixation in the literature is 4 weeks, with most focusing on 6 to 12 weeks. Based on biomechanical data regarding suture button techniques, the investigators hypothesize that patients undergoing ankle fracture fixation plus suture button fixation of their syndesmotic disruption will be able to safely bear weight early (2 weeks) after surgery. The investigator's null hypothesis is that there will be no difference between early weight bearing (2 weeks), and late weight bearing (6 weeks) in terms of outcome, hardware failure, loss of reduction, and return to work. Adult patients who have an ankle fracture with suspected syndesmotic disruption, requiring a suture button fixation operative intervention will be randomized into early (2 weeks post-surgically) weight-bearing status or delayed weight-bearing status (non-weight-bearing for 6 weeks following fixation). Primary objective: Maintenance of ankle reduction at 1 year follow-up (measured by comparing immediate post-op CT and 1 year time-point CT). Secondary Objectives: Pain scores, surgical experience, work productivity and activity impairment , AAOS foot and ankle scores (2w, 6w, 12w, 6m, 1y), use of assistive devices, range of motion, physical therapy requirement/length of use/compliance, post-operative protocol compliance, post-