title: Randomized comparison of tape versus semi-rigid and versus lace-up ankle support in the treatment of acute lateral ankle ligament injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Functional treatment is the optimal non-surgical treatment for acute lateral ankle ligament injury (ALALI) in favour of immobilization treatment. There is no single most effective functional treatment (tape, semi-rigid brace or lace-up brace) based on currently available randomized trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the difference in functional outcome after treatment with tape versus semi-rigid versus lace-up ankle support (brace) for grades II and III ALALIs. The Karlsson score and the FAOS were evaluated at 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and ninety-three patients (52% males) were randomized, 66 patients were treated with tape, 58 patients with a semi-rigid brace and 62 patients with a lace-up brace. There were no significant differences in any baseline characteristics between the three groups. Mean age of the patients was 37.3 years (35.1-39.5; SD 15.3). Ninety-five males (49%) were included. One hundred and sixty-one (59 + 50 + 52) patients completed the study through final follow-up; 32% lost at follow-up. In two patients treated with tape support, the treatment was changed to a semi-rigid brace because of dermatomal blisters. Except for the difference in Foot and Ankle Outcome Score sport between the lace-up and the semi-rigid brace, there are no differences in any of the outcomes after 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most important finding of current study was that there is no difference in outcome 6 months after treatment with tape, semi-rigid brace and a lace-up brace.
  
  
  METHODS
  I.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Oosterpark 9, P.O. Box 95500, 1090 HM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Bekerom@gmail.com.|Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Gelre Hospitals, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, P.O. Box 9014, 7300 DS, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. Bekerom@gmail.com.|Orthopaedic Research Center Amsterdam, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, P.O. Box 22660, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Bekerom@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M P J
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: van den Bekerom
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Gelre Hospitals, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, P.O. Box 9014, 7300 DS, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Kimmenade
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Slotervaart Hospital, Louwesweg 6, P.O. Box 90440, 1006 BK, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I N
authors.initials: IN
authors.lastname: Sierevelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Gelre Hospitals, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, P.O. Box 9014, 7300 DS, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eggink
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Center Amsterdam, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, P.O. Box 22660, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G M M J
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Kerkhoffs
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Research Center Amsterdam, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Academic Medical Centre/University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, P.O. Box 22660, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Gelre Hospitals, Albert Schweitzerlaan 31, P.O. Box 9014, 7300 DS, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: E E J
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Raven
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D055052:Athletic Tape; D001915:Braces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D017844:Lateral Ligament, Ankle / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male
keywords: Ankle; Brace; Injury; Ligament; Sports; Tape; Treatment