Abstract
Objective:Acute ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in emergency departments. Immobilization is widely accepted as the basic treatment modality for acute ankle sprains; however, immobilization method remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to compare two treatment modalities: splint and elastic bandage for the management of acute ankle sprains.Methods:This prospective study was conducted in the emergency department. Fifty-one consecutive patients who were admitted to the emergency department owing to the complaint of ankle sprain and who were treated with an elastic bandage or a splint were included in the study. After bone injury was ruled out, treatment choice was left to the on-shift physicians’ discretion. The extent of edema was evaluated before and after the treatment by using a small, graduated container filled with warm water. Volume differences were calculated by immersing both lower extremities in a container filled to a constant level. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale.Results:There were 25 patients in the elastic bandage group and 26 patients in the splint group. VAS scores of these groups before and after the treatment were similar. Although edema size before and after the treatment were similar between the groups, edema size reduction was significantly more in the elastic bandage group [p=0,025].Conclusions:This study showed that treatment of acute ankle sprains with an elastic bandage was more effective than splint in reducing edema. Therefore, an elastic bandage could be preferred over a splint for the treatment of acute ankle sprains.
Highlights
Acute ankle injuries are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in emergency departments
Fiftyone consecutive patients who were admitted to the emergency department with the complaint of ankle sprain and who were treated with elastic bandage or splint were included in the study
Both techniques reduced the extend of edema but reduction of edema had resolved was more significantly in the elastic bandage group than in the ‘splint group (p=0,025) (Table-II)
Summary
Acute ankle injuries are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in emergency departments. The most common mechanism for such injuries is supination, combination of adduction and inversion of the plantar-flexed foot.[1,2,3] The most common. Immobilization of the ankle is the basic treatment modality functional treatment methods that preserve range of motion of joints have been presented recently. In addition to the lack of evidence-based studies that compare treatment methods, no studies have definitely concluded the optimal functional treatment strategy for such injuries. Acute ankle sprain complete range of motion, and resolve swelling and pain.[1,2,3,4] In this study, we compared the effectiveness of two treatment modalities for the management of acute ankle sprain in terms of edema reduction and pain relief
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