Supervised exercises for adults with acute lateral ankle sprain: a randomised controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
During the recovery period after acute ankle sprain, it is unclear whether conventional treatment should be supported by supervised exercise.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the short- and long-term effectiveness of conventional treatment combined with supervised exercises compared with conventional treatment alone in patients with an acute ankle sprain.


METHODS
Randomised controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
A total of 32 Dutch general practices and the hospital emergency department.


METHODS
Adults with an acute lateral ankle sprain consulting general practices or the hospital emergency department were allocated to either conventional treatment combined with supervised exercises or conventional treatment alone. Primary outcomes were subjective recovery (0-10 point scale) and the occurrence of a resprain. Measurements were carried out at intake, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year after injury. Data were analysed using intention-to-treat analyses.


RESULTS
A total of 102 patients were enrolled and randomised to either conventional treatment alone or conventional treatment combined with supervised exercise. There was no significant difference between treatment groups concerning subjective recovery or occurrence of resprains after 3 months and 1-year of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Conventional treatment combined with supervised exercises compared to conventional treatment alone during the first year after an acute lateral ankle sprain does not lead to differences in the occurrence of resprains or in subjective recovery.
van Rijn
Rogier M
RM
Department of General Practice, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. r.vanrijn@erasmusmc.nl
van Os
Anton G
AG
Kleinrensink
Gert-Jan
GJ
Bernsen
Roos Md
RM
Verhaar
Jan An
JA
Koes
Bart W
BW
Bierma-Zeinstra
Sita Ma
SM
D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D017844:Lateral Ligament, Ankle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome