TREATMENT OF THE INVERSION ANKLE SPRAIN - COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT MODES OF COMPRESSION AND CRYOTHERAPY

Relatively few studies have been performed to examine the effectivenes s of different methods of treatment for the inversion ankle sprain. In this study, restoration of function following a grade II inversion sp rain was compared among 34 subjects who received one of three methods of treatment, each of which incorporated an Air-Stirrup brace. The met hods included uniform compression provided by elastic tape, focal comp ression provided by a U-shaped device, and focal compression with simu ltaneous cryotherapy. Although the results failed to demonstrate stati stical significance at the .05 level (p = .055), the two groups that r eceived focal compression attained each of nine levels of function in fewer days than the group that received uniform compression. The resul ts of this study indicate that focal compression appears beneficial, b ut increased frequency and duration of cryotherapy does not appear to enhance the rate of recovery following an inversion ankle sprain.