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Lateral ankle sprain increases subsequent ankle sprain risk: a systematic review
Erik A Wikstrom1,2, M Spencer Cain1,2, Avinash Chandran3
11 Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Journal of Athletic Training
|November 5, 2020
Summary
A history of lateral ankle sprain (LAS) significantly increases the risk of future LAS injuries. While males with a prior LAS show higher re-injury rates, more research is needed for definitive conclusions on sex-specific risks.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Recurrent lateral ankle sprains (LAS) are common in athletes.
- Understanding risk factors for subsequent LAS is crucial for injury prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between a history of LAS and the risk of subsequent LAS.
- To investigate potential sex-differences in this association.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus databases up to July 2020.
- Inclusion of prospective studies reporting LAS history and incidence.
- Meta-analysis of risk ratios (RR) and confidence intervals (CI) to compare LAS risk.
Main Results:
- Nineteen studies (6,567 participants) were included, with moderate to high quality.
- A history of LAS significantly increased the risk of subsequent LAS in 10 of 15 studies (RR 1.29-6.06).
- Males with a LAS history showed a higher risk (4/6 studies, RR 1.38-8.65), while the association was less clear in females (1/4 studies, RR 4.28).
Conclusions:
- Strong evidence supports that a previous LAS elevates the risk of future LAS injuries.
- Males with a history of LAS appear to have a higher risk of re-injury.
- Further sex-specific research is required to confirm these findings due to limited data.
