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WITHDRAWN: Interventions for preventing ankle ligament injuries.
Helen Hg Handoll1, Brian H Rowe, Kathryn M Quinn
1Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, Middlesborough, Tees Valley, UK, TS1 3BA.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|May 13, 2011
Summary
Ankle supports significantly reduce ankle sprains in sports, especially for those with prior injuries. This finding aids athletes in preventing common sports-related ankle injuries.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Ankle sprains are prevalent in high-impact sports like basketball and soccer.
- These injuries are frequently treated in acute care settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for preventing ankle ligament injuries in active individuals.
- Focus on physically active individuals from adolescence to middle age.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized or quasi-randomized trials.
- Included interventions: modified footwear, external ankle supports, coordination training, and health education.
- Data extracted and quality assessed by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- 14 trials involving 8279 participants were analyzed.
- External ankle supports (semi-rigid orthoses, air-cast braces) significantly reduced ankle sprains (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.69).
- The reduction was more pronounced in individuals with a history of ankle sprain.
Conclusions:
- Strong evidence supports the use of semi-rigid orthoses or air-cast braces for preventing ankle sprains in high-risk sports.
- Ankle supports are beneficial for individuals with a history of sprains.
- Further research is needed on other prophylactic interventions and their cost-effectiveness.
