TREATMENT
Below-knee cast and Aircast brace improved ankle function at 3 months in acute severe ankle sprain
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
In patients with acute severe ankle sprain, are mechanical supports more effective than double-layer tubular compression bandages (Tubigrip) for enhancing recovery?
randomised controlled trial.
concealed.
blinded (outcome assessors).
1, 3, and 9 months.
8 emergency departments in the UK.
584 patients >16 years of age (mean age 30 y, 58% men) who were unable to bear weight for 
3 days after sprain. Exclusion criteria were contraindications to immobilisation, injury date >7 days ago, or recent fracture (except flake fracture <3 mm).
below-knee cast (n = 142), Aircast brace (n = 149), Bledsoe boot (n = 149), or Tubigrip (n = 144). Before randomisation, ankles were elevated and immobilised with tubular compression bandages for 2–3 days to stabilise oedema. Trained plaster technicians, physiotherapists, and nurses applied the supports.
ankle function (Foot and Ankle Score [FAOS], range 0 to 100 [no symptoms]).
82% at 3 months; <80% at 9 months (intention-to-treat analysis).
Orthopaedic Services, Centra Health, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
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