Acupressure Therapy for Acute Ankle Sprains: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Tertiary rehabilitation in acute ankle sprain caused by sports training

BACKGROUND

An ankle sprain is a common joint sprain in sports injury, which is closely related to its physiological position and anatomical characteristics, and may progress into chronic ankle instability after improper early treatment or premature exercise.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the tertiary rehabilitation effect of acute lateral ankle sprain caused by sports training.

METHOD

Ninety-six athletes with acute lateral ankle sprain diagnosed from January 2019 to June 2020 were included and divided into the control group and the rehabilitation group using the random number table grouping method, with 48 cases in each group. The two groups received standardized treatment, and the rehabilitation group additionally received tertiary rehabilitation. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS ) scores, degree of ankle swelling, pain, and re-injury rate were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The AOFAS scores of the two groups increased after treatment (P< 0.05). The degree of swelling in both groups after treatment was improved (P< 0.05). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores in both groups declined two weeks after treatment, with lower results observed in the rehabilitation group The two groups showed similar results of the follow-up visit (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Rehabilitation exercise on acute lateral ankle sprain effectively relieves ankle swelling and pain.

Hydrotherapy with hydrogen-rich water compared with RICE protocol following acute ankle sprain in professional athletes: a randomized non-inferiority pilot trial

We analysed the effects of an experimental novel protocol of intensive hydrotherapy with hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on injury recovery in athletic men who suffered an acute ankle sprain (AAS) and compared it with a RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation). Professional athletes (age 23.7 ± 4.0 years; weight 78.6 ± 5.7 kg, height 182.5 ± 4.3 cm; professional experience 5.9 ± 3.9 years) who incurred AAS during a sport-related activity were randomly assigned immediately after the injury to either hydrogen group (n = 9) or a conventional RICE treatment group (n = 9). Hydrogen group received six 30-min ankle baths with HRW throughout the first 24 h post-injury, with hydrotherapy administered every 4 hours during the intervention period. RICE group stood off the injured leg, with ice packs administered for 20 min every 3 hours, with the injured ankle compressed with an elastic bandage for 24 hours and elevated at all possible times above the level of the heart. HRW was equivalent to RICE protocol to reduce ankle swelling (2.1 ± 0.9% vs. 1.6 ± 0.8%; P = 0.26), range of motion (2.4 ± 1.3 cm vs. 2.7 ± 0.8 cm; P = 0.60), and single-leg balance with eyes opened (18.4 ± 8.2 sec vs. 10.7 ± 8.0 sec; P = 0.06) and closed (5.6 ± 8.4 sec vs. 3.9 ± 4.2 sec; P = 0.59). This non-inferiority pilot trial supports the use of HRW as an effective choice in AAS management. However, more studies are needed to corroborate these findings in other soft tissue injuries.

Conservative Treatment for Acute Ankle Sprain: A Systematic Review

The aim was to identify conservative treatments available for acute ankle sprain and to evaluate their effectiveness with respect to pain relief and short-term recovery of functional capacity. A systematic review of the relevant literature was conducted via a data search of the PROSPERO, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PyscINFO and SPORTDiscus databases, from inception until December 2019, focusing on randomised control trial studies. Two of the authors independently assessed the quality of each study located and extracted the relevant data. The quality of each paper was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool included in RevMan 5. In all, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. In terms of absence of bias, only nine papers were classed as “high quality”. Studies (75%) were of low quality in terms of the blinding of participants and personnel and uncertainty in blinding of outcome assessment and all presented one or more other forms of bias. Despite the generally low quality of the studies considered, it can be concluded that conservative treatment for acute ankle sprain normally achieves pain relief and rapidly improved functionality. Research based on higher-quality study designs and procedures would enable more definitive conclusions to be drawn.

Acupuncture- and Intermittent Compression-Induced Changes in Blood Circulation of Tendon

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare changes in blood circulation (blood volume and oxygen saturation [StO₂]) of tendon by acupuncture (insertion depth of the needle was 4 mm) and intermittent compression. Subjects: Thirteen healthy volunteers (12 males and 1 female; age: 26.9 ± 9.8 years) participated in this study. Methods: Before the treatments (10 min for acupuncture, 3 min for intermittent compression, and 10 min for control condition) and the recovery period (40 min), the blood volume (total hemoglobin [THb]) and StO₂ of treated and nontreated Achilles tendons were measured using red laser lights. Results: Regarding the acupuncture-induced changes in blood circulation of tendons, THb and StO₂ of the treated tendon suddenly increased during acupuncture with up-and-down manipulation, and those of the treated and nontreated tendons gradually increased after removal of the needle. The authors were not able to present the measured variables during intermittent compression, since obvious noises were observed. After acupuncture and intermittent compression, THb and StO₂ of the treated tendon remained high during the recovery period and those of the nontreated tendon gradually increased during the latter half of the recovery period. There were no differences in the mean changes of THb or StO₂ of the treated and nontreated tendons during the recovery period between acupuncture and intermittent compression. Under the control condition, no significant changes were noted in the measured variables. Conclusion: These results suggest that intermittent compression to the tendon brought about increases in tendon blood circulation similar to those induced by acupuncture.