Management of ankle fractures in children
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN29688616 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN29688616 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 277534 |
| Central Portfolio Management System (CPMS) | 46531 |
| Sponsor | Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Funder | NIHR Central Commissioning Facility (CCF); Grant Codes: NIHR200580 |
- Submission date
- 13/11/2020
- Registration date
- 20/11/2020
- Last edited
- 16/12/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
It is common for children to sustain fractures (breaks) to their bones, and current estimates are that 1 in 3 children will sustain a break during childhood. Despite the common nature of these injuries, there are few research studies to guide the best way to treat them. One of the most common injuries in children is a broken ankle, and the majority of these do not need an operation. There are a range of different ways to treat these so-called 'stable' injuries including the use of a supportive bandage (tubigrip), brace, or plaster cast. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages and a recent survey suggested that there is a range of different treatments offered to the same injury in different hospitals.
Who can participate?
The study is looking for children aged 5-15 who break a bone in their ankle.
What does the study involve?
X-rays will be reviewed by the doctors who will decide if the child is eligible for the trial. The study will involve being allocated to one of three common treatments for this injury - a removable bandage, a removable splint or a walking cast. The child will be prescribed this for 2 weeks and will be allowed to walk using crutches. Follow up will be through online questionnaires sent to families to track progress and with a 2-week patient diary that needs to be returned to the study team.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The researchers cannot promise the study will help the participants but the information from this study may help children with similar injuries recover with the best possible outcomes. There are no anticipated disadvantages in participating in this study. All of the treatments are safe and commonly used to treat this fracture in the UK. Previous studies have suggested that the risk of pressure injuries (skin irritation or blisters) may be slightly higher with the boot. This risk will be reduced by providing a padded sock to wear with this device. It is possible to develop a heat-related injury with the cast which is why only trained staff will apply and remove this device.
Where is the study run from?
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2020 to November 2023
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Jessica Nightingale
jessica.nightingale3@nhs.net
Contact information
Scientific
Research Manager
Trauma and Orthopaedics
Nottingham University Hospitals
T&O Audit Office, C-West (1285), QMC
Nottingham
NG7 2UH
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)7810326600 |
|---|---|
| jessica.nightingale3@nhs.net |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional randomized controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Scientific title | Management of ANkle fractures in CHildren: the feasibility Of a Randomised controlled trial (ANCHOR) |
| Study acronym | ANCHOR |
| Study objectives | Is it feasible to conduct a randomised controlled trial to compare cast, removable splint and supportive bandage for low-risk ankle fractures in children? |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 12/10/2020, East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee (The Old Chapel, Royal Standard Place, Nottingham, NG1 6FS, UK; +44 (0)207 104 8285; derby.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 20/EM/0189. |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Injuries to the knee and lower leg |
| Intervention | A feasibility multi-centre parallel group trial with 1:1:1 allocation of patients to removable splint treatment with a brace or bandage or below knee cast. The trial will collect outcome data at 6 and 12 weeks with nested qualitative interviews to inform future trial design. Children presenting with an acute ankle injury will be assessed in the Emergency Department and a provisional diagnosis identified. Emergency department treatment will be at the discretion of the treating clinician. Children are reviewed at a specialist fracture clinic within 72 of presentation in line with the British Orthopaedic Association’s BOAST 7 recommendations. Children who are managed in virtual fracture clinics or in emergency department fracture clinics may be recruited directly from the emergency department. The parents will decide if their child is eligible to take part in the trial in conjunction with their surgeon and child and will be referred to the research team. Screening logs will be maintained throughout the trial to assess the main reasons for patient exclusion as well as number of patients unwilling to take part. For parents and children in whom English is not their first language trial materials will be available translated on request. However, patients will only be invited to participate if they are able to complete the outcome measures in English, as there are no validated translations of the candidate measures. The primary outcomes will be collected using a electronic form at recruitment, at 2 and 6 week follow up and at 12 weeks. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Feasibility outcome measures: |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Physical function measured by ASK-P, PROMIS Mobility at 6 and 12 weeks |
| Completion date | 30/11/2023 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 5 Years |
| Upper age limit | 15 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 156 |
| Total final enrolment | 103 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Aged 5-15 years inclusive 2. Proven low-risk ankle fracture on x-ray: minimally displaced or undisplaced fibular fracture 3. A clinical undisplaced fracture which fulfils the Ottawa criteria: 3.1. A history of trauma 3.2. Tenderness at the posterior edge of the lateral malleolus 3.3. Unable to weight bear for more than 4 steps 3.4. No alternative cause of pain identified on x-ray |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Additional injuries 2. Injury is more than 7 days old at recruitment 3. Current medical condition that prevents the use of any of the treatments (e.g. dermatitis, vasculitis, congenital foot or ankle deformities) 4. In conjunction with their parents are unable to complete the outcome measures chosen in English |
| Date of first enrolment | 10/12/2020 |
| Date of final enrolment | 10/12/2022 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
Derby Road
Nottingham
NG7 2UH
England
Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW
England
Eaton Road
Liverpool
L12 2AP
England
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 01/01/2025 | 16/12/2025 | Yes | No | |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Protocol file | version 3.2 | 28/02/2022 | 01/11/2023 | No | No |
| Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- ISRCTN29688616_Protocol_v3.2_28February2022.pdf
- Protocol file
Editorial Notes
16/12/2025: Publication reference added. Contact details updated.
01/11/2023: The following changes were made:
1. Protocol v3.2 uploaded (not peer reviewed).
2. The total final enrolment was added.
12/07/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 10/12/2021 to 10/12/2022.
2. The overall end date was changed from 30/11/2022 to 30/11/2023.
3. The intention to publish date was changed from 10/06/2023 to 10/06/2024.
4. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
11/07/2022: The overall trial end date has been changed from 10/06/2022 to 30/11/2022 and the plain English summary updated accordingly.
13/11/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) (UK)
