Effect of high-voltage pulsed current on recovery after grades I and II lateral ankle sprains.
BACKGROUND
High-voltage pulsed current (HVPC), a form of electrical stimulation, is known to curb edema formation in laboratory animals and is commonly applied for ankle sprains, but the clinical effects remain undocumented.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether, as an adjunct to routine acute and subacute care, subsensory HVPC applied nearly continuously for the first 72 h after lateral ankle sprains affected time lost to injury.


METHODS
Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Data were collected at 9 colleges and universities and 1 professional training site.


METHODS
50 intercollegiate and professional athletes.


METHODS
Near-continuous live or placebo HVPC for 72 h postinjury in addition to routine acute and subacute care.


METHODS
Time lost to injury measured from time of injury until declared fit to play.


RESULTS
Overall, time lost to injury was not different between treated and control groups (P = .55). However, grade of injury was a significant factor. Time lost to injury after grade I lateral ankle sprains was greater for athletes receiving live HVPC than for those receiving placebo HVPC (P = .049), but no differences were found between groups for grade II sprains (P = .079).


CONCLUSIONS
Application of subsensory HVPC had no clinically meaningful effect on return to play after lateral ankle sprain.
Dept. of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
Frank C
FC
Mendel
Michael G
MG
Dolan
Dale R
DR
Fish
John
J
Marzo
Gregory E
GE
Wilding
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000145:classification / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010919:Placebos