Comparison of a lateral hop test versus a forward hop test for functional evaluation of lateral ankle sprains

The purposes of this study were to determine whether a lateral hop test was a more sensitive functional test over time than a forward hop test in assessing lateral ankle sprains, and whether lateral hop performance can predict a subjective score from an ankle rating scale. At the United States Military Academy, cadets presenting with ankle sprains during an 8-month period were included in this observational study. Patients were asked to perform a lateral hop for distance and a forward hop for distance on both the injured and uninjured lower extremities. The order of testing was randomized. After the hop trials, individuals completed a subjective questionnaire designed to assess functional ankle health. The lateral hop and subjective scores are components of the Sports Ankle Rating System. Patients were evaluated at the day of consent and at 1 week, 3 weeks, and 6 weeks. There were 29 patients, ages 18 to 22 years; 8 were women and 21 were men. A multivariable regression of analysis was performed to determine which subjective factors best predict the individual's subjective score. Although both the lateral and forward hop were statistically significant factors, neither was determined to be better than the other.