This is a plain-English translation of the academic paper above, prepared for patients, referring clinicians, and other non-specialist readers. It preserves the structure of the original paper while removing technical jargon. For the full clinical paper, follow the PubMed or DOI links.
Background
Whether the traditional plaster cast or a modern removable boot leads to better recovery after an ankle fracture — in a national, randomised trial across 20 UK trauma units.
Rationale
Plaster casts have been the default for decades but they are heavy, awkward, can’t be removed for showering, and limit ankle motion until they come off. Removable boots allow earlier motion and better hygiene. We wanted to know whether either was actually better, on a measure that captures how the ankle is doing at 4 months.
Results
Across 669 adults with ankle fractures, there was no statistically significant difference in ankle function at 16 weeks. The numbers favoured the brace marginally (by 1.8 points on the Olerud-Molander score) but the confidence interval crossed zero. Either treatment is reasonable.
Implications
If your ankle fracture is suitable for cast immobilisation, you and your surgeon can choose between a traditional plaster and a removable boot based on what suits your life best, without compromising recovery. This is a real choice now — not a clinical compromise.
Source: Kearney R, et al. (Costa M, lead); AIR trial collaborators including Heidari N. Use of cast immobilisation versus removable brace in adults with an ankle fracture: multicentre randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2021;374:n1506. PMID: 34226192.
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