History-dependent changes in the recovery process of the middle latency cutaneous reflex gain after ankle sprain...

We previously reported that suppressive middle latency cutaneous reflexes (MLRs) in the peroneus longus (PL) are exaggerated in subjects with chronic ankle instability, and the changes are related to functional instability. However, the time-varying history of these neurophysiological changes after an ankle sprain is yet to be elucidated. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the time course of the changes in the PL MLR after an ankle sprain in relation to the number of sprain recurrences.

Twenty-three subjects with ankle sprain were classified into 3 groups according to their history of ankle sprain: first ankle sprain, 2-3 ankle sprains, and ≥4 ankle sprains. Twenty-three age-matched control subjects also participated. The PL MLRs were elicited by stimulating the sural nerve while the subjects performed different levels of isometric ankle eversion. Gain of MLR was estimated using linear regression analysis (slope value) of the amplitude modulation of MLRs obtained from graded isometric contractions.

The gain of MLRs first increased 4 weeks after the injury. In subjects with their first ankle sprain, the MLRs returned to almost baseline levels after 3 months. In contrast, the increase in MLR gain persisted even after 3 months in subjects with recurrent ankle sprains. In addition, the MLR gains were closely related to functional recovery of the ankle joint.

Our findings suggest that the recovery process of MLR gains were strongly affected by the history of ankle sprains as well as the functional recovery of the ankle joint.