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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
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Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
Self-assessed disability and functional performance in individuals with and without ankle instability: a case control
Erik A Wikstrom1, Mark D Tillman, Terese L Chmielewski
1Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. ewikstrom@uncc.edu
Summary
Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) report greater self-assessed disability than copers and controls. However, functional performance on hop tests did not differ between groups, suggesting subjective reports are more sensitive to CAI than objective measures.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Chronic ankle instability (CAI) affects 40-75% of individuals after an acute lateral ankle sprain.
- Copers maintain high function despite ankle sprains, unlike those who develop CAI.
- Differentiating between copers and CAI is crucial for developing predictive clinical tests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare functional performance and self-assessed disability in individuals with CAI, copers, and uninjured controls.
- To identify potential markers for predicting CAI development after ankle sprains.
- To inform the development of clinical assessment tools for ankle injuries.
Main Methods:
- A single-blind, case-control study involving 72 active adults (24 CAI, 24 copers, 24 controls).
- Participants completed validated self-assessed disability questionnaires (Foot and Ankle Disability Index, FADI-Sport).
- Functional performance was assessed using four hop tests (figure-8, side-to-side, triple-crossover, single-leg hop for distance).
Main Results:
- Significant differences in self-assessed disability were found among the three groups (P<.001).
- Individuals with CAI reported higher disability scores compared to copers and uninjured controls.
- No significant differences in functional performance were observed across the groups on the hop tests (P=.259).
Conclusions:
- Self-assessed disability is significantly higher in individuals with CAI compared to copers and controls.
- Objective functional performance, as measured by hop tests, did not differentiate between CAI, copers, and controls.
- Subjective disability measures may be more sensitive indicators of chronic ankle instability than current objective hop tests.
