title: Early ankle mobilization, Part I: The immediate effect on acute, lateral ankle sprains (a randomized clinical trial).
abstract: A random clinical trial was performed to determine the immediate effects of early ankle mobilization on active duty military members with moderate and severe lateral ankle sprains. Sixty-four subjects were randomly allocated to one of three treatments: a plaster cast, an air-stirrup (Aircast Inc., Summit, New Jersey), or an elastic wrap. Each intervention lasted 2 weeks followed by 3 weeks of rehabilitation. Subjects who were allowed early mobilization returned to work and running significantly sooner than those placed in plaster casts (p = 0.029). Swelling (p = 0.009) and pain (p < 0.001) decreased while range of motion increased (p = 0.027) in the early mobilization groups. Between the mobilization groups, those in the elastic wrap performed as well as those in the air-stirrup.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA 98431-5454.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dettori
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Basmania
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Lednar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001458:Bandages; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D004434:Early Ambulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000534:rehabilitation*