Ankle Fracture — ORIF

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

WB status per surgeon; boot/cast per surgeon; typically NWB initially progressing per surgeon clearance

Key Restrictions

No joint mobs near fracture site or stabilizing over fracture; no IASTM over fracture sites until 6 wks; avoid pressure on healing fracture sites/hardware; pilon fractures have more guarded prognosis; close communication with surgeon critical

Timeline & Phases

4 phases: Phase I (0-6 wks), Phase II (7-12 wks), Phase III (13-16 wks), Phase IV (return to sport); includes return-to-run and agility/plyo programs

Notes

Criterion-based; foot joint mobs OK if away from fracture site; scar mob once incisions healed; joint position sense <5 deg error for Phase III; functional assessment >80% for return to sport; references included. [Archived copy — original Massachusetts General Hospital URL retired in the Mass General Brigham site migration; Wayback snapshot 2026-04-03.]

Surgeon / Author

MGH Sports Medicine