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Immediate vs. Delayed Weightbearing for Fracture Recovery

This study is looking at whether starting to put weight on your leg right away (Immediate WBAT) after surgery for certain fractures is as safe and effective as waiting (Delayed WBAT). It's for men and women over 18 who have fractures of the hip socket (acetabulum), pelvis, thigh bone (distal femur), or lower leg bones (proximal tibia, distal tibia) that need surgery within 7 days. The study wants to see if they can enroll enough people and follow up with them to gather good information. Success will be measured by how many people need another surgery or have their hardware fail within 6 months.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 100 participants who will be randomly assigned to either immediate or delayed weight bearing.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 6 months after their surgery to check for reoperation or hardware failure.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05595148

Immediate Weightbearing vs Delayed Weightbearing

Enrolling by Invitation
NAAges 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Maryland, Baltimore
~100 participants
Updated 2026-01-26 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Immediate WBATNo Intervention: Delayed WBAT

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
The number of participants with unplanned reoperation or hardware failure
Measured over 6 months following definitive fixation surgery

Conditions

Rehabilitation

Explore related trials

Acetabulum FractureFemoral Fractures, DistalFracture of PelvisOpen fracture distal tibiaOpen fracture of upper end of tibia

NCT05595148

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 2 sites. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Maryland, Capital Region Health

    Cheverly, Marylandno site contact published

  • University of Maryland, Shock Trauma Center

    Baltimore, Marylandno site contact published

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Study leadership

  • Robert O'Toole, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Maryland, Baltimore

Who to contact

This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Fracture of the acetabulum, pelvis, distal femur, distal tibia, including those with intra- articular extension, that meets surgical indications.
Operative treatment within 7 days of injury at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, University of Maryland, University of Maryland Medical System, University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center.
Provision of informed consent.

Exclusion

Non English Speaking.
Cognitive ability does not allow for full understanding of study procedures ( Patient has been diagnosed with psychiatric condition, intellectually challenged without adequate family support).
Patient has other orthopaedic or non-orthopaedic injuries that would preclude him/her from being able to weight bear immediately (e.g. open fractures, polytrauma.
Significant impaction (\>2mm) or comminution at joint surface (e.g. with acetabulum, distal femur, tibial plateau, or tibial plafond fractures).
Patients who would not be able to immediately weight bear or comply with weight bearing restrictions.
Not willing to be randomized.
Surgeon or clinical follow will not occur at participating hospital or location.
Anticipated problems with follow up in the judgement of study personnel ( patient is homeless).

What this trial measures

  • The number of participants with unplanned reoperation or hardware failure6 months following definitive fixation surgery

    Any reoperation associated with the enrolled fracture region (non union, malunion, hardware removal)