title: Joint stability characteristics of the ankle complex in female athletes with histories of lateral ankle sprain, part II: clinical experience using arthrometric measurement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This is part II of a 2-part series discussing stability characteristics of the ankle complex. In part I, we used a cadaver model to examine the effects of sectioning the lateral ankle ligaments on anterior and inversion motion and stiffness of the ankle complex. In part II, we wanted to build on and apply these findings to the clinical assessment of ankle-complex motion and stiffness in a group of athletes with a history of unilateral ankle sprain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine ankle-complex motion and stiffness in a group of athletes with reported history of lateral ankle sprain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five female college athletes (age = 19.4 ± 1.4 years, height = 170.2 ± 7.4 cm, mass = 67.3 ± 10.0 kg) with histories of unilateral ankle sprain.
  
  
  METHODS
  All ankles underwent loading with an ankle arthrometer. Ankles were tested bilaterally.
  
  
  METHODS
  The dependent variables were anterior displacement, anterior end-range stiffness, inversion rotation, and inversion end-range stiffness.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anterior displacement of the ankle complex did not differ between the uninjured and sprained ankles (P = .37), whereas ankle-complex rotation was greater for the sprained ankles (P = .03). The sprained ankles had less anterior and inversion end-range stiffness than the uninjured ankles (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes in ankle-complex laxity and end-range stiffness were detected in ankles with histories of sprain. These results indicate the presence of altered mechanical characteristics in the soft tissues of the sprained ankles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Studies, University of South Alabama, Mobile.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kovaleski
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Heitman
authors.forename: Larry R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Gurchiek
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hollis
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Albert W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Pearsall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012399:Rotation; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult