Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess ankle function 4 weeks after conservative management and to
examine the correlation of function with gait. DESIGN: A prospective comparison
study. PATIENTS: Thirty patients with grade I or II acute ankle sprains were
followed up after 4 weeks of conservative management not involving physical
therapy. METHODS: Participants underwent a clinical assessment and had to walk at
a normal self-selected walking speed. Their results were compared with the data
of 15 healthy subjects.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants' joint swelling,
muscle strength, passive mobility, and pain were assessed. In addition, patients'
temporal-spatial, kinematic, and kinetic gait data were measured while walking.
RESULTS: Muscle strength and passive mobility were significantly reduced on the
injured side compared with the noninjured side (P < .001). During gait analysis,
patients with ankle sprains showed slower walking speed, shorter step length,
shorter single support time, reduced and delayed maximum plantar flexion,
decreased maximum power, and decreased maximum moment (P < .050) compared with
healthy persons. Decreased walking speed was mainly correlated with pain (R =
-0.566, P = .001) and deficits in muscle strength of dorsiflexors (R = 0.506, P =
.004). CONCLUSION: Four weeks after an ankle sprain, patients who did not receive
physical therapy showed physical impairments of the ankle that were correlated
with gait parameters. These findings might help fine-tune rehabilitation
protocols.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS