Abstract
A case control study of 30 matched litigants and non-litigants with ankle sprains was performed to assess the effect of litigation on the medium-term outcome (mean: 11.5 months post injury). Incomplete recovery was reported by 76.6% of all litigants compared to 26.7% of non-litigants. The mean period of sleep disturbance, swelling, limping and non-weight bearing, use of external support and crutches was 2.3 days, 2.5, 2.4 weeks and 2.3, 2.4 and 0.6 weeks for the non-litigants. This compares to 7.2 days, 12.8, 10.9 weeks and 9.6, 8.5 and 1.1 weeks for the litigants ( P<0.001 apart from crutch use, P=0.477). The litigating group had a mean period of swelling, limping and non-weight bearing which was up to 4 standard deviations higher than of the respective non-litigants. Giving way was present in 70% of litigants and 60% of non-litigants (NS); 23.3% of litigants and 43.3% of non-litigants perceived physiotherapy to be beneficial.
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