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Below-knee cast and Aircast brace improved ankle function at 3 months in acute severe ankle sprain

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.12.4.113

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    Question

    In patients with acute severe ankle sprain, are mechanical supports more effective than double-layer tubular compression bandages (Tubigrip) for enhancing recovery?

    Methods

    Design:

    randomised controlled trial.

    Allocation:

    concealed.

    Blinding:

    blinded (outcome assessors).

    Follow-up period:

    1, 3, and 9 months.

    Setting:

    8 emergency departments in the UK.

    Patients:

    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).

    Intervention:

    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 …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding UK Department of Health.