Predictive Factors of Recovery after an Acute Lateral Ankle Sprain: A Longitudinal Study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Ankle sprains have unpredictable recovery, leading to poor outcomes.
• Reliable early prognosis is challenging for ankle sprain patients.
• Persistent pain and functional deficits are common after ankle sprains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prognostic value of clinical measures, pain, and function for ankle sprain recovery.
• To identify early predictors of long-term outcomes in lateral ankle sprain patients.
• To evaluate the association between four-week post-injury status and seven-month recovery.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-two participants with lateral ankle sprains were evaluated.
• Assessments at four weeks included range of motion, strength, function, and pain.
• Recovery was determined at seven months using ankle ability measures; logistic regression analyzed predictors.

Main Results:

• 52% of participants fully recovered, while 48% did not.
• Walking pain at four weeks post-injury was negatively associated with seven-month recovery (OR: 0.71).
• Pain during walking was a significant predictor of long-term ankle sprain recovery.

Conclusions:

• Pain experienced four weeks after an ankle sprain is a key predictor of long-term recovery.
• Clinicians should monitor patients with persistent walking pain four weeks post-sprain.
• Targeted interventions for persistent pain may reduce the risk of chronic problems after ankle sprains.