Ankle injury

This study compares two surgical methods to treat chronic ankle instability in people who also have joint hypermobility (very flexible joints). One method adds a special tape for extra support. The goal is to see which surgery provides better stability and fewer repeat injuries. …

This study looks at whether giving less intravenous (IV) fluid to critically ill children with traumatic injuries leads to fewer complications. Currently, there is no standard for how much fluid these children should receive. The trial will enroll 250 children aged 6 months to 15…

This study tests a new surgical implant called Fibulink for repairing ankle fractures with torn ligaments. The goal is to see if it allows patients to start walking fully at 4 weeks instead of the usual 6 weeks, without the implant failing. 56 adults with specific ankle injuries …

This study is testing special screws that dissolve over time, used in foot and ankle surgeries for fractures, realignments, or joint fusions. The screws are meant to hold bones together while they heal, then safely absorb into the body. Researchers will follow 125 adults for 4 ye…

This study compares a new sensorimotor ankle rehabilitation training (SMART) program to standard care for people with a first-time ankle sprain. The goal is to see if SMART reduces re-injury rates and improves quality of life over one year. Researchers will enroll 150 participant…

This study compares two common surgical procedures for a specific type of ankle injury called syndesmosis injury, often linked with ankle fractures. About 140 adults who need surgery will be randomly assigned to receive either a suture button or a Fibulink implant. Researchers wi…

This study compares two treatments to help blood clot in severely injured trauma patients who are bleeding heavily. One is a standard frozen blood product (cryoprecipitate) that takes time to thaw, and the other is a dry powder (fibrinogen concentrate) that can be given at the be…

This study tests whether adding a collagen scaffold called Miro3D to standard wound care helps acute and chronic wounds heal better than standard care alone. About 70 adults with soft tissue wounds or pressure ulcers will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The main goal i…

This study tests whether a 6-week walking and running program with sound feedback can improve ankle stability in 100 physically active adults who have chronic ankle instability. Participants will train three times a week and be followed for up to a year. The goal is to reduce ank…

This study compares two surgical approaches for chronic ankle instability: a newer arthroscopic technique using donor tissue (allograft) versus the standard open Broström-Gould repair using the patient's own tissue. Researchers will enroll 36 adults with chronic ankle sprains and…

This study tests whether using artificial intelligence (AI) in ankle MRI scans can produce better images and improve patient satisfaction. About 120 adults with ankle injuries will be randomly assigned to receive either an AI-assisted MRI or a standard MRI. The goal is to see if …

This study tests whether a short form of exposure therapy, given soon after a traumatic injury, can prevent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers will enroll 300 injured adults admitted to Level I trauma centers. Half will receive the brief therapy plus standard care,…

This study tests whether 2-3 ten-minute visits from a trained therapy dog can reduce pain, anxiety, depression, and anger in adults hospitalized after a traumatic injury. Researchers will compare patients who get dog visits to those who only get a visit from a dog handler. The go…

This study tests whether strengthening the ankle, the hip, or both together works best for people with chronic ankle instability. 45 participants aged 18-35 will do isometric exercises three times a week for four weeks. Researchers will measure improvements in stability, strength…

This study tests whether a soft robotic glove called Carbonhand can help people with hand weakness from injury or nerve conditions perform daily activities at home. Five participants will use the glove for six weeks while researchers measure arm activity, grip strength, and well-…

This study tests whether socks made with semiconductor fabric can improve healing and reduce symptoms after an ankle sprain. About 100 adults with ankle injuries will wear either the special socks or regular compression socks and report their pain and function over time. The goal…

This pilot study tests whether a topical diclofenac gel (Voltaren) works as well as oral ibuprofen for reducing pain in children aged 6-18 with ankle or knee sprains. Sixty participants will use either the gel or oral medicine three times a day for three days, then report their p…

This study tests whether giving fluoxetine (Prozac) immediately after a serious injury can prevent depression, PTSD, and reduce pain and opioid use. About 200 adults with fractures or other bodily trauma will receive either fluoxetine or a placebo during their hospital stay. The …

This study tests a counseling program for caregivers of children hospitalized for a traumatic injury like burns or a car accident. The goal is to reduce PTSD and depression in both the caregiver and child. 24 caregiver-child pairs will be randomly assigned to either the counselin…

This study tests whether a single dose of ketamine given during surgery can help adults with serious orthopedic trauma recover better. Researchers want to see if it reduces pain, lowers the need for opioids, and improves symptoms of depression and PTSD. Ninety participants will b…

This study tests whether using a blood flow restriction (BFR) cuff during physical therapy helps people recover better after ankle ligament reconstruction surgery. About 105 adults will be split into two groups: one gets standard therapy, the other adds BFR. Researchers will meas…

This study tests whether numbing specific nerves in the leg before ankle surgery can lower pain and help people recover faster. About 70 adults having ankle arthroscopy will receive either a nerve block or a placebo injection, along with standard anesthesia. Researchers will meas…

This study tests whether a 6-day course of the steroid Medrol (methylprednisolone) can lower pain, nausea, and the need for opioid painkillers after foot or ankle surgery. About 180 adults having surgery at Emory will take either the steroid or a placebo, plus a small supply of h…

This study tests whether ketamine or fentanyl is better for pain relief in trauma patients with signs of shock. About 994 adults will receive one of the two drugs in the ambulance. Researchers will track survival at 24 hours and side effects like low oxygen or blood pressure.

This study compares two ways to repair a torn ankle ligament: standard surgery with stitches alone versus adding a special implant that may help healing. About 40 adults having arthroscopic Brostrom repair will be randomly assigned to one of the two groups. Researchers will track…

This study tests whether a continuous intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate can reduce pain and the need for narcotic painkillers in critically ill trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Researchers will compare magnesium to a placebo (normal saline) in 156 adul…

This study tests whether a device called LightForce® Therapy Laser can reduce pain from mild to moderate ankle sprains. About 108 adults with acute ankle sprain pain will receive either real laser therapy or a sham (fake) laser, plus standard care like rest and ice. The main goal…

This study looks at whether adding mild electrical stimulation to special stretching exercises can help people who have had an ankle sprain. Sixty adults aged 18 to 30 will be split into two groups: one does stretching alone, the other does stretching with electrical stimulation.…

This study compares three ways to manage pain after ankle fracture surgery: a long-acting numbing cocktail, regional anesthesia, and standard care. Researchers want to see if the numbing cocktail reduces the need for strong pain pills. About 70 adults with certain ankle fractures…

This study tests whether using a mental health app called SuperBetter can help adolescent dancers recover from foot or ankle injuries. Fifty dancers aged 13 to 18 will use the app for 10 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 12 weeks alongside their usual physical therapy. The goal i…

This Phase 2 trial tests whether 4-aminopyridine, a drug already used for other conditions, can speed up healing of skin wounds. Researchers will give the drug or a placebo to 150 healthy adults and measure how quickly small biopsy wounds close. The goal is to see if this safe, e…

This study looks at whether giving older trauma patients extra protein drinks (up to 3 times a day in the hospital and for 4 weeks after discharge) helps them regain muscle and function better than standard nutrition. Sixty adults aged 45 and older who can eat by mouth will be ra…

This study looks at records of 500 patients admitted to intensive care units in Colombia to find out what factors are linked to death after severe trauma. Researchers will compare trauma patients with other ICU patients using a discharge database. The goal is to better understand…

This study looks back at medical records of 4 severely injured trauma patients who needed large blood transfusions. It compares two drugs that help blood clot—prothrombin complex concentrate and recombinant activated factor VIIa—to see which causes fewer dangerous blood clots and…

This study looks at whether a special test called ANKLE-GO, done 3 months after ankle ligament surgery, can predict if athletes will safely return to their sport. About 116 people who had surgery for chronic ankle instability will take the test and be followed for a year. The goa…

This study aims to see if updated criteria for activating trauma teams can reduce mistakes—either calling a team when not needed (over-triage) or missing a serious case (under-triage). Researchers will compare data from 5,000 trauma patients before and after the new rules were pu…

This study follows 350 adults with major injuries admitted to intensive care. Doctors will use a non-invasive bedside ultrasound to check blood flow in the kidneys and liver at several time points. The goal is to see if certain ultrasound patterns are linked to acute kidney injur…

This study will enroll 188 trauma patients in Iraq to see how well three scoring systems (EMTRAS, REMS, and GAP) predict who will die, need a breathing tube, or stay longer in the hospital. Researchers will calculate each patient's score upon arrival and track their outcomes. The…

This study compares two scoring systems (TTSS and TRISS) to see which better predicts outcomes like death or ICU admission in people with chest injuries. Researchers will assess 150 patients in the emergency room and track their hospital course. The goal is to find the most accur…

This study looks at whether storing blood for a long time before transfusion affects death rates and complications in severely injured trauma patients. Researchers will review records of 300 patients aged 18-75 who received large transfusions. The goal is to understand if blood s…

This study looks at how severe traumatic injury changes the bone marrow and gut, leading to long-term anemia and microbiome disruption. Researchers will collect bone marrow, blood, and stool samples from 275 adults with serious blunt trauma. The goal is to understand these intera…

This study compares Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) training for doctors against usual care to see if it improves survival in adult trauma patients. Over 4,000 patients from hospitals in India will take part. The goal is to find out if this widely used training actually saves…

This study tests two different carbon fiber foot braces (custom dynamic orthoses) in 35 adults who had a traumatic foot or ankle injury at least two years ago. Participants will try both braces and report on comfort, pain, and physical function. The goal is to provide evidence on…

This study looks at how severe injuries change the way bone marrow stem cells work, especially in older adults. Researchers will collect bone marrow and blood samples from 400 trauma patients to understand why some develop long-term anemia and muscle loss. The goal is to learn mo…

This study follows 150 adults for one year after ankle arthroscopy to record any complications that arise. Participants will be checked by their surgeon and physical therapist at 15 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. They will also fill out questionnaires and do …

This study will follow 5,000 people for up to 20 years after ankle ligament surgery to see how often the ligament tears again and how well they return to sports. The goal is to learn how durable and effective the surgery really is, helping doctors improve care for future patients…