title: Incidence and Cost of Ankle Sprains in United States Emergency Departments.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ankle sprains represent a common injury in emergency departments, but little is known about common complications, procedures, and charges associated with ankle sprains in emergency departments.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  There will be a higher incidence of ankle sprains among younger populations (≤25 years old) and in female patients. Complications and procedures will differ between ankle sprain types. Lateral ankle sprains will have lower health care charges relative to medial and high ankle sprains.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive epidemiological study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 3.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of the 2010 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample was conducted. Outcomes such as charges, complications, and procedures were compared using propensity score matching between lateral and medial as well as lateral and high ankle sprains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample contained 225,114 ankle sprains. Female patients sustained more lateral ankle sprains (57%). After propensity score adjustment, lateral sprains incurred greater charges than medial ankle sprains (median [interquartile range], $1008 [$702-$1408] vs $914 [$741-$1108]; P < 0.01). Among complications, pain in the limb (1.92% vs 0.52%, P = 0.03), sprain of the foot (2.96% vs 0.70%, P < 0.01), and abrasion of the hip/leg (1.57% vs 0.35%, P = 0.03) were more common in lateral than medial ankle sprain events. Among procedures, medial ankle sprains were more likely to include diagnostic radiology (97.91% vs 83.62%, P < 0.01) and less likely to include medications than lateral ankle sprains (0.87% vs 2.79%, P < 0.01). Hospitalizations were more common following high ankle sprains than lateral ankle sprains (24 [6.06%] vs 1 [0.25%], P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ankle sprain emergency department visits account for significant health care charges in the United States. Age- and sex-related differences persist among the types of ankle sprains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The health care charges associated with ankle sprains indicate the need for additional preventive measures. There are age- and sex-related differences in the prevalence of ankle sprains that suggest these demographics may be risk factors for ankle sprains.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Shweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Abbey C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Joshua M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Noone
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Blanchette
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Erik A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Wikstrom
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Nationwide Emergency Department Sample; ankle; propensity score matching; sprains