Cast immobilisation versus surgery for unstable lateral malleolus fractures (SUPER-FIN): randomised non-inferiority clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To compare cast immobilisation with surgery using open reduction and internal plate fixation for unimalleolar Weber B ankle fractures with a congruent mortise on initial radiography but deemed unstable by external rotation stress testing.

Design

Randomised, pragmatic, non-inferiority, clinical trial.

Setting

One specialist university hospital trauma centre in Finland, 16 January 2013 to 7 July 2021.

Participants

840 skeletally mature patients (age ≥16 years) with an isolated Weber B fibula fracture on static radiographs. Fracture instability was assessed by standard external rotation stress test under fluoroscopy. 714 participants were excluded (569 with stable fracture, mortise incongruency, or fracture dislocation) and the remaining 126 patients wit

SUBMITTER: Kortekangas T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12801415 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature