Functional Treatment Comparing with Immobilization after Acute Ankle Sprain

Background : Ankle injuries are among the most prevalent injuries with which a physician may encounter. In this study, the efficiency of the functional treatment was compared with the immobilization treatment in healing the acute ankle sprain.
Materials and Methods : This clinical trial study was carried out on 100 male patients whose ankle sprain had been diagnosed by Yasuj Shahid Beheshti Hospital. Using block allocation randomization method and regardless of damage degree, patients were divided into two groups, functional method (1st group) or immobilization with plaster (2nd group), for treatment. Several variables such as range of motion, pain intensity, inflammation, joint tenderness and returning to work after 2, 6 and 12 weeks were examined.
Results : After two weeks, the average pain intensity in the first group (33.2±3.2) has been decreased compared to the second group (55±1.2), which showed a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05). The average ankle range of motion in the first and second groups was 29.08±1.2 degrees and 20.4±2.2 degrees, respectively which had been increased significantly in the first group compared to the second group (p<0.03). Similarly, a considerable difference was observed in decreased inflammation and tenderness in the first group compared to the second one.
Conclusion : In acute ankle sprains, the functional treatment is better than the immobilization treatment in alleviating pain, inflammation and improving the range of joint motion.