Ankle Sprains Kevin M

Home , Horseshoe, Stirrup

Journal ofAthletic Training 1999;34(1):5-10 C by the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Inc www.nata.org/jat Comparison of 3 Methods of External Support for Management of Acute Lateral Ankle Sprains Kevin M. Guskiewicz, PhD, ATC*; Bryan L. Riemann, MA, ATCt; James A. Onate, MA, ATCt * Sports Medicine Research Laboratory, Department of Physical Education, Exercise, and Sport Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; t Department of Health, Physical, and Recreational Education, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; * Southeast Raleigh High School, Raleigh, NC

Objective: To examine the efficacy of 3 different types of Measurements: We assessed subjects for ankle volume, injury support systems (standard elastic wrap with horseshoe, functional performance, and self-perception of symptoms dur- Aircast Sport Stirrup, and Omni Multiphase orthosis) used in ing the 5 postinjury assessments. treating acute inversion ankle sprains. Results: We found no significant differences among the 3 Subjects: We recruited 30 physically active college-aged groups on measures of volume, level of function, and self- subjects who had sustained a grade 1 + or 2 lateral ankle sprain perception of symptoms. within the previous 24 hours for the study. Conclusions: Our results suggest that none of these meth- Design and Setting: Subjects were randomly placed into ods is superior to the others for reducing swelling, restoring one of 3 groups, the first treated with standard elastic wrap function, or relieving symptoms during the acute management with horseshoe, the second with an Aircast Sport Stirrup, of lateral ankle sprains. and the third with an Omni Multiphase orthosis. Subjects Key Words: focal compression, edema reduction, ankle reported to the athletic training room on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and stirrup 7 postinjury.

E dema about the ankle is a naturally occurring phe- produces a consistent pressure around the entire circumfer- nomenon associated with inversion ankle sprains. ence of a limb. It has been described as being most effective While inversion ankle sprains are one of the most in reducing swelling around regularly shaped contours, such frequently occurring injuries among athletes and physically as the leg or thigh, especially when applied in a graduated active people, the optimal method of treatment still remains manner.7'8 In contrast, focal compression with a horseshoe- controversial. Various treatment plans for the management shaped pad is best applied in areas where concavities about of acute ankle injuries have been proposed and are well bony prominences exist. This technique, when combined documented in the literature. 1-6 Most clinicians will agree with circumferential compression, theoretically promotes that functional treatment protocols should involve cryother- lymph drainage by diverting edema in a proximal direction apy, elevation, compression, protection, and nonsteroidal through soft tissue compression under the pad.8'9 Ankle anti-inflammatory medications to control pain and inflam- stirrup braces are believed to offer the medial and lateral mation. There is debate, however, as to which method of joint stability necessary for early ambulation, while provid- best for edema external compression and support is reducing ing increased collateral pressures for promoting removal of and for an return to activity. promoting recovery early edema. It is believed that these orthoses provide variable Until recent advancements made available rigid external of the as soft tissues are support systems offering both stability and focal compres- collateral compression extremity sion, clinicians used an elastic wrap for circumferential compacted between the compressive device and underlying compression, an elastic wrap with a horseshoe pad for focal bone during ambulation.'0 compression, or a rigid stirrup brace offering both stability Debate exists as to whether or not the added cost of the and collateral compression. Circumferential compression manufactured support systems meets the expected cost:benefit ratio in comparison with the standard treatment method involving an elastic wrap and horseshoe. Our purpose, therefore, was Address correspondence to Kevin M. Guskiewicz, PhD, ATC, Sports to determine whether one method of external support for acute Medicine Research Laboratory, CB No. 8700, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8700. E-mail address: gus@email. ankle sprain management was superior in reducing swelling, unc.edu restoring function, or relieving subjective symptoms.

Journal of Athletic Training 5 METHODS

Procedures Thirty subjects who had sustained acute lateral ankle sprains participated in this study. Qualifying ankle sprains involved suspected stretching or partial tears to the anterior talofibular ligament (grade 1 + or 2). All sprains exhibited mild to moderate instability with an anterior drawer test, moderate point tenderness over the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, or anterior tibiofibular ligaments, a sudden onset of edema, and no history of an ankle sprain within the previous 6 months. All prospective subjects were evaluated by one of the 3 investigators, all of whom are certified athletic trainers. The study was approved by the Academic Affairs Institutional Review Board Figure 2. Aircast Sport Stirrup. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and subjects reviewed and signed a human subjects informed consent form subjects (10 males, 21.7 ± 3.4 years, ht = 183.9 + 6.3 cm, before participating. wt = 81.5 ± 11.5 kg) were placed in a 7.62-cm (3-inch) We randomly placed subjects into one of 3 groups within 24 single-length elastic wrap and 0.64-cm (0.25-inch) felt horse- a hours after injury, according to predetermined rotation of the shoe. A 15.24-cm (6-inch) horseshoe was custom fit to encircle 3 support systems. Group 1 subjects (8 males and 2 females, the lateral malleolus and divert edema away from the soft 21.4 ± 1.5 years old, ht = 179.1 + 9.4 cm, wt = 78.2 ± 14.2 tissue surrounding the lateral ankle ligaments. Compression kg) were placed in the Multiphase (Omni Scientific, Inc, was administered using a distal to proximal graduated method, Concord, CA) orthosis, which consists of a rigid plastic shell whereby the pressure was greatest distally (Figure 3). The that provides ankle stabilization and inversion control (Figure elastic wrap and horseshoe were applied by one of the 3 1). The unique feature of this orthosis is a built-in focal investigators after each treatment; however, subjects were also compression pad designed to facilitate translocation of edema trained in proper self-application. away from the lateral ankle ligaments. Group 2 subjects (9 Five postinjury assessments were made on all subjects at males and 1 female, 20.2 ± 1.2 years old, ht = 178.6 ± 7.4 days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 (same time of day ± 1 hour). In an cm, wt = 75.7 ± 11.5 kg) were placed in the Aircast Sport attempt to ensure consistent procedures and results, subjects Stirrup (Aircast Inc, Summit, NJ). The Aircast Sport Stirrup were assessed by only one of the 3 investigators. The investi- consists of 2 plastic shells aligned with adjustable air bladders gators practiced and piloted the protocol before beginning the that the support ankle both medially and laterally (Figure 2). study. All subjects began a standardized rehabilitation program The bladders are designed to exert alternating pressures during on day 1 postinjury, which involved a progression of range- the and dorsiflexion of plantar flexion locomotion. Both the of-motion, strengthening, and balance exercises. Subjects con- Aircast and were Multiphase braces sized and applied accord- tinued the daily program until their strength reached approxi- to the manufacturers' recommended to ensure ing guidelines mately 90% of the uninvolved extremity and they were able to consistent compression and support. Proper brace application perform straight-ahead jogging without pain and apprehension. was also demonstrated one of the by 3 investigators. Group 3 All subjects wore their respective ankle support during waking

Figure 1. Omni Multiphase. Figure 3. Elastic wrap and feft horseshoe.

6 Volume 34 * Number 1 * March 1999 hours, beginning on day 1 postinjury, and abstained from Table 2. Visual Analogue Questions Used for Subjective taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or perform- Symptom Assessment ing physical activity involving the lower extremities. A 20- 1. Do you experience pain when walking (or attempting to walk) minute elevation and cryotherapy (ice application using elastic without crutches? compression wrap) treatment followed each rehabilitation and 2. Do you experience pain while sitting or lying down? 3. To what extent is your normal function impaired? assessment session. Subjects were instructed to undergo 2 4. Did you have difficulty sleeping due to pain? additional cryotherapy treatment sessions on assessment days 5. Were you able to walk without limping while wearing the brace? and 3 cryotherapy treatment sessions on nonassessment days. Crutches were required for ambulation until subjects attained level 2 status on the Functional Assessment Scale (Table 1). Although this study was concerned with acute phase management of the injury, subjects were encouraged to continue rehabilitating their ankles for several days after attaining level 5 status.

Visual Analogue Scales Subjects completed a series of visual analogue scales inquir- ing about levels of pain and disability (Table 2). The first 3 scales listed in Table 2 were completed on day 1 postinjury, while all 5 scales were completed on subsequent days. Subjects were asked to place a mark on each 10.5-cm scale illustrating their level of pain or disability. Higher scores were indicative of a more symptomatic self-perception. Figure 4. Volumetric measurement of ankle using water displace- ment method.

Volumetric Measurements would not be placed in a gravity-dependent position for an Ankle volume at each testing session was determined by excessive period of time. measuring the amount of water displaced by the ankle in a volumetric measuring tank (Figure 4). The reliability of this Functional Assessment Scale device was previously determined in 2 studies to be ±3.8%"1 and ±3%. 12 The procedure for using the device was identical The functional ability of subjects at each testing session was to the methods used in a previous study,"1 whereby the evaluated and assigned a number (0-5) using a functional subject's ankle was slowly lowered into the tank from a seated assessment scale (Table 1). Subjects found to be between position (hip, knees, and ankles positioned at 900) behind the levels were given the lower level value, with 0.5 added. This is tank until the foot came to rest on the bottom. The shaft of the a modified version of the functional scale used by Wilkerson tibia was maintained perpendicular to the base of the tank, and and Horn-Kingery.13 air bubbles were eliminated by slight movement of the sub- merged limb. Excess water displaced by the ankle was col- Statistical Analysis lected through a piece of surgical tubing and measured using a graduated cylinder in milliliters. The water temperature was Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS sta- between 21.1°C (70°F) and 23.9°C (75°F), and the measure- tistical package (release 6.1, SPSS, Inc, Chicago, ment was completed in less than 3 minutes so that the limb IL). Separate, repeated-measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) for each of the dependent variables (volume, visual analogue scales, and functional assessment scale) Table 1. Functional Assessment Scale were conducted to reveal differences between groups. An a level of P < .05 was set a priori. Level Criteria 0 Nonweightbearing 1 Partial weightbearing or weightbearing with obvious RESULTS limping, mild pain, or apprehension 2 Normal gait without pain or apprehension The results of the separate, repeated-measures ANOVAs for 3 Heel/toe raise without pain or apprehension each dependent variable did not reveal any significant group by 4 Straight-ahead jogging without pain or apprehension, day interactions (P > .05) (Figures 5-9). Additionally, all strength <90% analyses revealed significant main effects for day (P < .05), 5 Zig-zag running at 100% maximum speed without suggesting that subjects had significant improvements across pain or apprehension, strength = 100% the testing period, regardless of the external support used. Our

Journal of Athletic Training 7 10 09 --.- Multiphase 1700 -*- - -.. Multiphase 98 -u--Elastic Wrap 1600 -u--Elastic Wrap 72.8 - -x -Aircast E 1500_ .5- E 1400 >1300- <2- 1200

1100 -1 1000 Dl D2 D3 05 D7 D1 D2 D3 D5 D7 Days Postinjury Days Postinjury Figure 5. Ankle volume means (± SD) for each group across each Figure 7. Visual analogue scale means (±" SD) for the question, "Do testing session. The ANOVA found no signMficant interactions you experience pain while sitting or lying down?" for each group (F8,108 = .45, P = .885). across each testing session. Higher scores represent increased self-perception of symptoms. The ANOVA found no signfficant interactions (F8,108 = .75, P = .645). results suggest that none of the methods used was superior to the others for reducing or reliev- swelling, restoring function, lateral ankle sprains was superior for reducing swelling, ing symptoms during the acute management of lateral ankle restoring function, or relieving symptoms during the acute sprains. management phase. Subjects in all 3 groups demonstrated decreases in volume DISCUSSION after day 3 postinjury. None of the braces appeared to influence swelling any more than the others over the initial 7 days after Although there is little the controversy surrounding pri- injury. Our findings are not consistent with the reports of some mary clinical the acute objectives during inflammatory authors6'8 who suggested that focal compression is advanta- phase after an ankle there is debate as to the best injury, geous over other modes of compression. The goal of focal method of attaining the objectives. The extent of secondary compression is to encourage edema to spread over a large area, can be limited the amount of hypoxic injury by decreasing aiding the lymphatic system in its removal of the edematous vascular and and decreas- blockage (compression elevation) fluid.9 The significant main effect for day in our study revealed the need for in the area There are ing oxygen (cryotherapy). that, on average, swelling was reduced at day 5; however, the several methods which debris and toxic substances can by absence of a significant day-by-group interaction confirmed be removed from the and it falls injured area, usually upon that the 3 treatments were equal. One reason for this may be the athletic trainer to make a clinical on which judgment that the method used to measure volume did not differentiate method to use. specific locations of edema. Therefore, unless an external Aside from the issue which method creates surrounding support displaced edema proximally from both the foot and the best healing there is the of environment, complication ankle, we would not detect a difference through volumetric cost effectiveness. the choice of treatment is Unfortunately, measurements. Similar results of equal swelling reductions often determined constraints. Treatment by budgetary op- between elastic wrap and Aircast were reported by Dettori tions available in rooms and emergency physical therapy et al.14 clinics may differ from those available in the athletic Our results involving swelling were surprising; equally so training rooms of high or schools, colleges, professional was our finding that all subjects demonstrated similar return settings. The most important finding in our study was that none of the external support systems used for treating acute 10 - _ 9. -.-..- M ultiphase 5- . 8- - Elastic Wrap 0 7- - -- -Aircast c 4- * 5- 3- CD 4- 2 2 -- t10 < 2- 0 : 1- -0 .* .-. Multiphase S:-1I -j o -U-- Elastic Wrap Dl D2 D3 D5 D7 ---* - Aircast -1 Days PostInjury Dl D2 D3 D5 D7 Figure 8. Visual analogue scale means (± SD) for the question, "To Days Postinjury what extent is your normal function impaired?" for each group Figure 6. Functional assessment means (± SD) for each group across each testing session. Higher scores represent increased across each testing session. The ANOVA found no significant self-perception of symptoms. The ANOVA found no significant interactions (F8,108 = .65, P = .735). interactions (F8,108 = 1.34, P = .233).

8 Volume 34 * Number 1 * March 1999 as mentioned previously, they were able to walk without a Multiphase _ 9 10*... limp. As for compliance, daily contact ensured us that subjects @8 - *-~ Elastic Wrap Aircast ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~7 wore their support braces for the duration of the study. (0 In conclusion, health care = 5- rising costs have resulted in oCD 4 clinicians being asked to justify their treatments with outcome oNL- studies. A limited number of studies have considered the cost 30- effectiveness of managing ankle sprains, with only 2 actually -1 studying methods of external support.'4'17 Our study supports D2 D3 D5 D7 the notion that an elastic wrap and horseshoe may be the most Days Postinjury cost-effective method of external support for acute management of an inversion ankle sprain, since none of the 3 supports Figure 9. Visual analogue scale means (±* SD) for the question, "Were you able to walk without limping while wearing the brace?" was shown to be superior for any of the variables measured. for each group across each testing session. Higher scores repre- We recommend that clinicians base their decision on indi- sent increased self-perception of symptoms. The ANOVA found no vidual needs, as well as on available resources. For example, significant interactions (F,,78 = .81, P = .564). individuals who are likely to be on their feet during the acute phase and are not likely to follow home instructions might benefit more from using either the Aircast or Multiphase. to function patterns (Figure 6). In other words, the rate at Alternatively, individuals who are more likely to comply with which the subjects progressed along the functional ability home instructions will do just as well with an elastic wrap and continuum was independent of the ankle support. This may horseshoe. The bottom line, however, is that a $3.00 elastic be attributed to the similar edema reductions across groups, wrap and felt horseshoe is as effective in treating acute lateral since edema has been reported to be directly related to ankle sprains as a $30.00 ankle brace, regardless of whether the healing,14 pain,5 and functional recovery.15 The similarities person is being treated in a physical therapy clinic or a high in edema reduction can also be explained by the fact that school, college, or professional athletic training room. perception of pain and function were similar across the 3 groups (Figures 7-9). These factors are likely to dictate a person's willingness to perform activities that could affect ACKNOWLEDGMENTS swelling in the injured ankle. It is interesting to note that subjects in the elastic wrap group scored the same as those We would like to express our appreciation to Omni Scientific, Inc, and subjects using the more rigid support braces when asked Aircast, Inc, for providing the necessary materials for this study. about their ability to walk without a limp (Figure 9). Patient comfort and compliance are also important consid- erations when making decisions about which support to use. It REFERENCES became apparent to us when interviewing subjects before their 1. Diamond JE. Rehabilitation of ankle sprains. Clin Sports Med. 1989;8: daily treatments that all 3 braces have advantages and disad- 877-891. vantages. First, several subjects claimed to have had difficul- 2. Freeman MAR. Treatment of ruptures of the lateral ligament of the ankle. ties fitting the Aircast and Multiphase supports into their shoes. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1965;47:661-668. Some athletes also complained that these braces did not fit 3. Glick JM, Gordon RB, Nichimoto D. The prevention and treatment of ankle injuries. Athl Train, JNATA. 1976;4:6-7. properly along the ankle and foot. While we believe the 4. Pincivero D, Gieck JH, Saliba EN. Rehabilitation of a lateral ankle sprain subjects in our study complied with the protocol, these con- with cryokinetics and functional progressive exercise. J Sport Rehabil. cerns might lead to noncompliance by athletes returning to 1993;2:200-207. activities of daily living, sport, or both, immediately after 5. Starkey JA. Treatment of ankle sprains by simultaneous use of intermittent injury. A second issue involved the ease with which each compression and ice packs. Am J Sports Med. 1976;4:142-144. 6. Wilkerson GB. Treatment of the inversion ankle sprain through synchro- support could be self-applied. Subjects using the Aircast and nous application of focal compression and cold. Athl Train, JNATA. 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Am J Duffley and Knight16 reported inconsistencies of compression Sports Med. 1980;8:360-365. 11. Rucinski T, Hooker D, Prentice W, Shields E, Cote-Murray D. The effects application using similar support systems. Some subjects of intermittent compression on edema in postacute ankle sprains. J Orthop wearing the elastic wrap and horseshoe reported feeling less Sports Phys Ther. 1991;14:65-69. support in comparison with subjects in the other 2 groups, but, 12. Cote DJ, Prentice WE Jr, Hooker DN, Shields EW. Comparison of three

Journal of Athletic Training 9 treatment procedures for minimizing ankle sprain swelling. Phys Ther. 15. Simko M, Deslarzes C, Andrieu R. Hydrostatic compressive therapy in the 1988;68:1072-1076. treatment of edema. Rev Med Suisse Romande. 1987;107:935-939. 13. Wilkerson GB, Hom-Kingery HM. Treatment of the inversion ankle 16. Duffley HM, Knight KL. Ankle compression variability using the elastic sprain: comparison of different modes of compression and cryotherapy. wrap, elastic wrap with a horseshoe, Edema II Boot and Air-Stirrup Brace. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1993;17:240-246. Athl Train, JNATA. 1989;24:320-323. 14. Dettori JR, Pearson BD, Basmania CJ, Lednar WM. Early ankle mobili- 17. Leanderson J, Wredmark T. Treatment of acute ankle sprain: comparison zation. Part I. The immediate effect on acute, lateral ankle sprains of a semi-rigid ankle brace and compression bandage in 73 patients. Acta (a randomized clinical trial). Mil Med. 1994;159:15-20. Orthop Scand. 1995;66:529-531.

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