Predictive Role of Ankle Muscle Strength, Pain and Activity Level in Ankle Functional Instability, Functional Mobility and Gait Speed in Individuals With Ankle Sprain

Abstract

Background and Objectives: An ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries and has various complications. Various factors can predict post-injury complications, including ankle muscle strength, pain, and activity level. So far, no study has exclusively investigated the predictive role of these factors. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the role of these factors in ankle instability, functional mobility, and gait speed in individuals with ankle sprain. Methods: This study was conducted on 140 individuals with ankle sprains who were referred to medical centers in Shiraz City, Iran. The demographic information of the patients (including the time elapsed since the sprain, etc.) was recorded by a demographic questionnaire. Related tests were also used to evaluate ankle muscle strength, pain, activity level, ankle functional instability, functional mobility, and gait speed, respectively. Results: In the regression models, the predictive value for each outcome of ankle functional instability, functional mobility, and walking speed was 45.5%, 58.8%, and 65.3% of the variance, respectively. In all stepwise models, ankle muscle strength was the strongest predictor for the outcomes of functional ankle instability, functional mobility, and gait speed. Conclusion: Ankle muscle strength, level of education, history of sprain in the last year, and age were the vital predictors of ankle functional instability. Muscle strength, age, and sprain status were the critical predictors of functional mobility respectively. Muscle strength, pain, age, duration of sprain, and activity level were the crucial predictors of gait speed.