• Muhammad J Sultan, Adam McKeown, Iain McLaughlin, Nasser Kurdy, and Charles N McCollum.
• Academic Surgery Unit, University Hospital of South Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK.
• Injury. 2012 Jul 1;43(7):1079-83.

BackgroundAnkle sprains are common and generally believed to be benign and self-limiting. However, a significant proportion of patients with ankle sprains have persistent symptoms for months or even years.AimsThe study aimed to evaluate whether elastic stockings improve recovery following ankle sprain.MethodologyAll patients within 72 h of ankle sprain were identified in Accident & Emergency or the Fracture Clinic. Consenting patients, stratified for sex, were randomised to either: (i) Tubigrip or (ii) class II below knee elastic stockings (ESs, Medi UK Ltd.) which were fitted immediately and worn until the patient was pain-free and fully mobile. The deep veins of the injured legs were imaged by duplex Doppler for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) at 4 weeks. Outcome was compared using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) and SF12v2 for quality of life.ResultsIn the 36 randomised patients, the mean (95% confidence interval (CI)) circumference of the injured ankle treated by ES was 23.5 (23-24)cm initially and 22 (22-23) and 22 (21-22.5)cm at 4 and 8 weeks (p<0.001) compared with 24 (23-25) cm initially and 24 (23-25) and 24 (23-24.5) cm using Tubigrip (p<0.001). By 8 weeks, the mean AOFAS and SF12v2 scores were significantly improved by ES at 99 (8.1) and 119 (118-121) compared with 88 (11) and 102 (99-107) with Tubigrip (p<0.001). Of the 34 duplex images at 4 weeks, none had a DVT.ConclusionElastic compression improves recovery following ankle sprain.Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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