Top

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

Open Access 01-04-2016 | Ankle

Randomized comparison of tape versus semi-rigid and versus lace-up ankle support in the treatment of acute lateral ankle ligament injury

Authors: M. P. J. van den Bekerom, Robert van Kimmenade, I. N. Sierevelt, Karin Eggink, G. M. M. J. Kerkhoffs, C. N. van Dijk, E. E. J. Raven

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 4/2016

Abstract

Purpose

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.

Conclusion

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.

Level of evidence

Boyce SH, Quigley MA, Campbell S (2005) Management of ankle sprains: a randomised controlled trial of the treatment of inversion injuries using an elastic support bandage or an Aircast ankle brace. Br J Sports Med 39(2):91–96CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Gerber JP, Williams GN, Scoville CR, Arciero RA, Taylor DC (1998) Persistent disability associated with ankle sprains: a prospective examination of an athletic population. Foot Ankle Int 19:653–660CrossRefPubMed

Kannus P, Renstrom P (1991) Current concept review. Treatment for acute tears of the lateral ligaments of the ankle. J Bone Joint Surg Am 73:305–312PubMed

Karlsson J, Peterson L (1991) Evaluation of ankle joint function. The use of a scoring scale. The Foot 1:15–19CrossRef

Kerkhoffs GMMJ, Handoll HHG, de Bie R, Rowe BH, Struijs PA (2007) Surgical versus conservative treatment for acute injuries of the lateral ligament complex of the ankle in adults. Cochrane Datab Syst Rev 18:CD000380

Kerkhoffs GM, Rowe BH, Assendelft WJ, Kelly K, Struijs PA, van Dijk CN (2002) Immobilisation and functional treatment for acute lateral ankle ligament injuries in adults. Cochrane Datab Syst Rev 3:CD003762

Kerkhoffs GM, Struijs PA, Marti RK, Assendelft WJ, Blankevoort L, van Dijk CN (2002) Different functional treatment strategies for acute lateral ankle ligament injuries in adults. Cochrane Datab Syst Rev 3:CD002938

Kerkhoffs GM, van den Bekerom MP, Elders LAM, van Beek PA, Hullegie WAM, Bloemers GMFM, Dekker R, ten Duis HJ, de Heus EM, van Hoogstraten JWAP, Kuijpers T, Loogman MCM, Rosenbrand CJGM, van Dijk CN, van Tulder MW, van der Wees PhJ, de Bie RA (2012) Acute lateral ankle ligament injury. An evidence-based clinical guideline. Br J Sport Med 46(12):854–860CrossRef

Lamb SE, Marsh JL, Hutton JL, Nakash R, Cooke MW, Collaborative Ankle Support Trial (2009) Mechanical supports for acute, severe ankle sprain: a pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet 373(9663):575–581CrossRefPubMed

10.

Lardenoye S, Theunissen E, Cleffken B, Brink PR, de Bie RA, Poeze M (2012) The effect of taping versus semi-rigid bracing on patient outcome and satisfaction in ankle sprains: a prospective, randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 28(13):81CrossRef

11.

Lindenfeld TN, Schmitt DJ, Hendy MP, Mangine RE, Noyes FR (1994) Incidence of injury in indoor soccer. Am J Sports Med 22:364–371CrossRefPubMed

12.

Petersen W, Rembitzki IV, Koppenburg AG, Ellermann A, Liebau C, Brüggemann GP, Best R (2013) Treatment of acute ankle ligament injuries: a systematic review. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 133(8):1129–1141CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

13.

Roos EM. Foot and ankle outcome score. www.koos.nu

14.

Roos EM, Brandsson S, Karlsson J (2001) Validation of the foot and ankle outcome score for ankle ligament reconstruction. Foot Ankle Int 22(10):788–794PubMed

15.

Stiell IG, Greenberg GH, McKnight RD, Nair RC, McDowell I, Reardon M, Stewart JP, Maloney J (1993) Decision rules for the use of radiography in acute ankle injuries. Refinement and prospective validation. JAMA 269(9):1127–1132CrossRefPubMed

16.

Tegner Y, Lysholm J (1985) Rating systems in the evaluation of knee ligament injuries. Clin Orthop Relat Res 198:43–49PubMed

17.

van den Bekerom MP, Kerkhoffs GM, McCollum GA, Calder JD, van Dijk CN (2013) Management of acute lateral ankle ligament injury in the athlete. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21(6):1390–1395CrossRefPubMed

18.

Van den Bekerom MPJ, Oostra RJ, Golano P, van Dijk CN (2008) The anatomy of the lateral ankle ligament complex in relation to ankle sprains. A current concepts review. Clin Anat 21(7):619–626CrossRefPubMed

19.

van den Bekerom MPJ, Sjer A, Somford MP, Bulstra GH, Struijs PAA, Kerkhoffs GMMJ (2014) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treating acute ankle sprains in adults: benefits outweigh adverse events. Knee Surg Traumatol Arthrosc. doi:10.1007/s00167-014-2851-6

20.

Van den Bekerom MP, Struijs PA, Blankevoort L, Welling L, van Dijk CN, Kerkhoffs GM (2012) What is the evidence for RICE therapy in the treatment of ankle sprains? Systematic review of literature. J Athl Train 47(4):435–443PubMedPubMedCentral

21.

Van Dijk CN (1994) On diagnostic strategies in patient with severe ankle sprain. Thesis. University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

22.

Van Dijk CN, Lim LSL, Bossuyt PMM, Marti RK (1996) Physical examination is sufficient for the diagnosis of sprained ankles. J Bone Joint Surg 78:958–962CrossRef

23.

Verhagen RA, de Keizer G, van Dijk CN (1995) Long-term follow-up of inversion trauma of the ankle. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 114:92–96CrossRefPubMed

24.

Waterman BR, Owens BD, Davey S, Zacchilli MA, Belmont PJ Jr (2010) The epidemiology of ankle sprains in the United States. J Bone Joint Surg Am 92:2279–2284CrossRefPubMed

25.

Yeung MS, Chan KM, So CH, Yuan WY (1994) An epidemiological survey on ankle sprain. Br J Sports Med 28:112–116CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Title: Randomized comparison of tape versus semi-rigid and versus lace-up ankle support in the treatment of acute lateral ankle ligament injury
Authors: M. P. J. van den Bekerom
Robert van Kimmenade
I. N. Sierevelt
Karin Eggink
G. M. M. J. Kerkhoffs
C. N. van Dijk
E. E. J. Raven
Publication date: 01-04-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 4/2016
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3664-y

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Randomized comparison of tape versus semi-rigid and versus lace-up ankle support in the treatment of acute lateral ankle ligament injury

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Level of evidence

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 4/2016

Anatomy of the ankle ligaments: a pictorial essay

Reliability of classification for post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis

The Hemi-Castaing ligamentoplasty for chronic lateral ankle instability does not modify proprioceptive, muscular and posturographic parameters

Evidence-based indications for hindfoot endoscopy

Long-term results of microfracture in the treatment of talus osteochondral lesions

Peroneal tendinosis as a predisposing factor for the acute lateral ankle sprain in runners