Fibulink Syndesmosis Repair System With Early Full-Weight Bearing

Last updated: November 4, 2025
Sponsor: Maimonides Medical Center
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

Joint Injuries

Treatment

Normal Weight Bearing

Early Weight Bearing

Clinical Study ID

NCT06085586
2022-08-15-MMC
  • Ages > 22
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the ability of the Fibulink Syndesmosis Repair System to maintain reduction of the ankle syndesmosis. Appropriate reduction of the syndesmosis is critical due the changes in tibiotalar contact pressure observed in cadaveric studies.6,7 Malreduction and instability of the distal tibiotalar joint can lead to chronic instability, increased articular damage and ultimately degenerative arthritis.7,8 Medial to lateral translation of distal tibia and fibula of 2 mm or more has been considered pathologic.9 Earlier biomechanical study demonstrated the Fibulink system is superior in maintaining displacement of less than 2 mm.4 Given the improved strength, we also look to evaluate the outcomes of initiating full weight bearing (100%) with Controlled Ankle Motion (CAM) boot at 4 weeks postoperatively. One of the big limitations for trans-osseous screw fixation is delayed weight bearing due to risk of screw breakage.1 Suture button technique allowed for early weight bearing with average of 6 weeks postoperatively using TightRope.2,10-12By initiating full weight bearing (100%) with CAM boot at 4 weeks postoperatively, this would be a significant improvement in current clinical practice.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • ankle fracture with syndesmotic disruption as assessed with intra-operative cottontest.

This includes the following injuries:

  • Syndesmotic sprain (without fractures)

  • Bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures

  • Bimalleolar ankle fractures

  • Maisonneuve fractures

  • Trimalleolar ankle fractures without the need for posterior malleolus fixation

  • Ankle fracture dislocations

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

    1. previous ankle surgery, 2) active local infection about the ankle, 3) chronicankle deformity secondary to trauma or congenital, 4) ligamentous laxity, 5)pathologic fractures, 6) peripheral vascular disease, 7) peripheral neuropathy, 8)diabetes neuropathy and charcot, 9) open fractures, 10) poly trauma, 11) inabilityto provide informed consent, 12) symptomatic ankle osteoarthritis, 12) retainedhardware, 13) pregnant, 14) metabolic bone disease, 15) history of chronic steroiduse, 16) mal-reduced ankle fractures

Study Design

Total Participants: 56
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Normal Weight Bearing
Phase:
Study Start date:
July 13, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
June 30, 2026

Study Description

All ankle fractures will be evaluated by the orthopedic team. Standard radiographs including anteroposterior (AP), lateral and mortise view of the ankle will be obtained. Manual or gravity stress view will be performed if needed. Treatment options including nonoperative and operative management will be discussed with the patient including the risks and benefits. An informed decision will be made. Two separate informed consent will be obtained. The first will be an informed consent for the surgery, detailing the planned surgical procedure. The second will be an informed consent for the enrollment of the study, detailing the purpose of the study and the use of the Fibulink Syndesmotic Repair System in any cases of syndesmotic injury.

Should the patient elects to proceed with surgery, the patient will be informed that fixation of the fractures will be performed first. Direct lateral approach to the distal fibular will be used for fixation of the lateral malleolus. If necessary, direct medial approach will be used for fixation of the medial malleolus. Once the fractures have been fixed, the syndesmosis will be stressed intraoperatively under live fluoroscopy. Based on the parameters described in 6.3, a decision will be made whether fixation of the syndesmosis is required if instability is noted. If fixation of the syndesmosis is required, it will be performed through the direct lateral approach.

The research coordinator will be informed of all patients that had the syndesmosis fixed with the Fibulink System. Patients will then be followed at the following time points: 2 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 8-10 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. During each follow-up time points, the tibiofibular overlap, tibiofibular clear space and medial clear space will be measured and recorded. The postoperative protocol will be as follow: Immediately post-op, patient will be placed in a short leg cast. At 2 weeks postop, the short leg cast will be removed. Suture removal will be performed. Patient will be placed in a CAM boot and instructed to perform early active ankle range-of-motion. Depending on the study group, at 4 weeks or 6 weeks postop, full weight bearing (100%) in the CAM boot will be allowed. Physical therapy will begin. At 8-10 weeks postop, full weight bearing (100%) without CAM boot will begin. Patients will continue to follow-up at 3 months and 6 months.

The research coordinator will ensure proper follow-up and will be responsible for data collection and input. After achieving the planned number of participants, the results of the two study sites will be gathered. Appropriate statistical analysis will be performed, and the results will be presented in a full manuscript format.

Connect with a study center

  • Maimonides Medical Center

    Brooklyn, New York 11219
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Maimonides Medical Center

    Brooklyn 5110302, New York 5128638 11219
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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