Effect of accelerated rehabilitation on function after ankle sprain: randomised controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Acute ankle sprains are common injuries, often treated with standard protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE).
• The efficacy of early therapeutic exercise in accelerating recovery from acute ankle sprains requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare an accelerated intervention with early therapeutic exercise against standard RICE for acute ankle sprains.
• To evaluate the impact on subjective ankle function, pain, swelling, and physical activity levels.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 101 patients with acute grade 1 or 2 ankle sprains.
• Participants were assigned to either an early exercise group or a standard RICE group.
• Outcomes including ankle function, pain, swelling, and activity were assessed at multiple time points up to 16 weeks.

Main Results:

• The early exercise group showed significantly improved subjective ankle function at weeks 1 and 2 (P=0.008 and P=0.0083, respectively).
• Higher activity levels (walking time, step count, light activity) were observed in the exercise group during the first week.
• No significant differences were found between groups for pain or swelling at any time point. Reinjury rates were 4% in both groups.

Conclusions:

• An accelerated exercise protocol initiated in the first week post-ankle sprain enhances functional recovery.
• Early therapeutic exercise leads to increased patient activity levels during the initial recovery phase compared to standard care.