title: Cohesive taping and short-leg casting in acute low-type ankle sprains in physically active patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cohesive taping is commonly used for the prevention or treatment of ankle sprain injuries. Short-leg cast immobilization or splinting is another treatment option in such cases. To determine the clinical efficacy and antiedema effects of cohesive taping and short-leg cast immobilization in acute low-type ankle sprains of physically active patients, we performed a preliminary clinical study to assess objective evidence for edema and functional patient American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores with these alternative treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-nine physically active patients were included: 32 in the taping group and 27 in the short-leg cast group within a year. If a sprain was moderate (grade II) or mild (grade I), we used functional taping or short-leg cast immobilization for 10 days. We evaluated the edema and the functional scores of the injured ankle using the AOFAS Clinical Rating System on days 1, 10, and 100.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In each group, edema significantly decreased and AOFAS scores increased indicating that both treatment methods were effective. With the numbers available, no statistically significant difference could be detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Each treatment method was effective in decreasing the edema and increasing the functional scores of the ankle. At the beginning of treatment, not only the level of edema but also the initial functional scores of the ankle and examinations are important in making decisions regarding the optimal treatment option.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uslu
authors.forename: Mustafa E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Inanmaz
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozsahin
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Isık
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arıcan
authors.forename: Yavuz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gecer
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001458:Bandages; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult