Early Advanced Weight-Bearing After Periarticular Fractures: A Randomized Trial Comparing Antigravity Treadmill Therapy Versus Standard of Care.

SUMMARY: In current clinical practice, weight-bearing is typically restricted for up to 12 weeks after definitive fixation of lower extremity periarticular fractures. However, muscle atrophy resulting from restricting weight-bearing has a deleterious effect on bone healing and overall limb function. Antigravity treadmill therapy may improve recovery by allowing patients to safely load the limb during therapy, thereby reducing the negative consequences of prolonged non-weight-bearing while avoiding complications associated with premature return to full weight-bearing. This article describes a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing outcomes after a 10-week antigravity treadmill therapy program versus standard of care in adult patients with periarticular fractures of the knee and distal tibia. The primary hypothesis is that, compared with patients receiving standard of care, patients receiving antigravity treadmill therapy will report better function 6 months after definitive treatment.

Salter-Harris type II fractures of the distal tibia: Residual postreduction displacement and outcomes-a STROBE compliant study.

We assessed factors associated with premature physeal closure (PPC) and outcomes after closed reduction of Salter-Harris type II (SH-II) fractures of the distal tibia. We reviewed patients with SH-II fractures of the distal tibia treated at our center from 2010 to 2015 with closed reduction and a non-weightbearing long-leg cast. Patients were categorized by immediate postreduction displacement: minimal, <2 mm; moderate, 2 to 4 mm; or severe, >4 mm. Demographic data, radiographic data, and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) scores were recorded.Fifty-nine patients (27 girls, 31 right ankles, 26 concomitant fibula fractures) were included, with a mean (±SD) age at injury of 12.0 ±â€Š2.2 years. Mean maximum fracture displacements were 6.6 ±â€Š6.5 mm initially, 2.7 ±â€Š2.0 mm postreduction, and 0.4 ±â€Š0.7 mm at final follow-up. After reduction, displacement was minimal in 23 patients, moderate in 21, and severe in 15. Fourteen patients developed PPC, with no significant differences between postreduction displacement groups. Patients with high-grade injury mechanisms and/or initial displacement ≥4 mm had 12-fold and 14-fold greater odds, respectively, of PPC. Eighteen patients responded to the LEFS survey (mean 4.0 ±â€Š2.1 years after injury). LEFS scores did not differ significantly between postreduction displacement groups (P = .61).The PPC rate in this series of SH-II distal tibia fractures was 24% and did not differ by postreduction displacement. Initial fracture displacement and high-grade mechanisms of injury were associated with PPC. LEFS scores did not differ significantly by postreduction displacement.Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.