Ice and high voltage pulsed stimulation in treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains*

* The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Public Health Service. The purpose of this investigation was to compare ice versus ice and high voltage pulsed stimulation (HVPS) for the treatment of ankle sprains. Thirty young adult subjects with grade I or II lateral ankle sprains were included in this study. Subjects received treatment within 30 hours following injury and were treated once daily for three days. Group I (N = 10) received ice for 30 minutes; group II (N = 10) received combination ice and HVPS (28 pps, negative polarity, current to comfort without contraction) for 30 minutes, and group III (N = 10) received ice and HVPS (80 pps, negative polarity, 30 minutes). All groups showed a tendency toward a decrease in pain, decrease in edema, and increase in ankle dorsiflexion following treatment. ANOVA for edema and dorsiflexion changes revealed that there were no significant differences in treatment effects among groups. HVPS, as utilized, did not further affect pain, edema, or range of dorsiflexion in the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1988;9(9):301-304.