title: Comparison of two main treatment modalities for acute ankle sprain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acute ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in emergency departments. Immobilization is widely accepted as the basic treatment modality for acute ankle sprains; however, immobilization method remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to compare two treatment modalities: splint and elastic bandage for the management of acute ankle sprains.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study was conducted in the emergency department. Fifty-one consecutive patients who were admitted to the emergency department owing to the complaint of ankle sprain and who were treated with an elastic bandage or a splint were included in the study. After bone injury was ruled out, treatment choice was left to the on-shift physicians' discretion. The extent of edema was evaluated before and after the treatment by using a small, graduated container filled with warm water. Volume differences were calculated by immersing both lower extremities in a container filled to a constant level. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 25 patients in the elastic bandage group and 26 patients in the splint group. VAS scores of these groups before and after the treatment were similar. Although edema size before and after the treatment were similar between the groups, edema size reduction was significantly more in the elastic bandage group [p=0,025].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that treatment of acute ankle sprains with an elastic bandage was more effective than splint in reducing edema. Therefore, an elastic bandage could be preferred over a splint for the treatment of acute ankle sprains.
authors: Serkan Bilgic, Department of Orthopaedics, Haydarpasa Military Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Serkan
authors: S
authors: Bilgic
authors: Murat Durusu, Department of Emergency Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara Turkey.
authors: Murat
authors: M
authors: Durusu
authors: Bahtiyar Aliyev, Department of Emergency Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara Turkey.
authors: Bahtiyar
authors: B
authors: Aliyev
authors: Serkan Akpancar, Department of Orthopaedics, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara Turkey.
authors: Serkan
authors: S
authors: Akpancar
authors: Omer Ersen, Department of Orthopaedics, Maresal Cakmak Military Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors: Omer
authors: O
authors: Ersen
authors: S.Mehmet Yasar, Department of Emergency Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara Turkey.
authors: S Mehmet
authors: SM
authors: Yasar
authors: Sukru Ardic, Department of Emergency Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara Turkey.
authors: Sukru
authors: S
authors: Ardic
keywords: Ankle injury; Elastic bandage; Splint