Comparative study of functional bracing and plaster cast treatment of stable lateral malleolar fractures.

In a prospective, randomized study, the use of the Aircast pneumatic air stirrup was compared with a standard below-knee walking cast in the management of Lauge-Hansen supination-eversion, stage II ankle fractures. Forty patients were randomly allocated to the two treatment groups. The use of the air stirrup led to a significant improvement in early patient comfort, post-fracture swelling, range of ankle motion at union, and time to full rehabilitation. We advocate the use of pneumatic air stirrup in the cost-effective management of stable ankle fractures.