Use the Back button in your browser to see the other results of your search or to select another record.

Detailed Search Results

Volume decreases after elevation and intermittent compression of postacute ankle sprains are negated by gravity-dependent positioning
Tsang KK, Hertel J, Denegar CR
Journal of Athletic Training 2003 Dec;38(4):320-324
clinical trial
3/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: No; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: No; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: No; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

OBJECTIVE: Elevation and intermittent compression are routinely prescribed after soft tissue injury. Individuals must, however, resume activity in an upright position. The effect of gravity-dependent positioning after elevation and intermittent compression has not been extensively examined. Our purpose was to examine the effects of gravity-dependent positioning after elevation and intermittent compression on the volume of injured ankles. DESIGN AND SETTING: Ankle-injured subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: elevation or elevation and intermittent compression. Each treatment lasted 30 minutes. SUBJECTS: Twelve college students with inversion ankle sprains 2 to 4 days earlier participated. MEASUREMENTS: Measurements of ankle volume were performed before treatment and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after treatment. RESULTS: Regardless of treatment, ankle volume decreased (by 17.25 +/- 4.05 mL) between the pretreatment measurement and the immediate posttreatment measurement (p < 0.05). The effects of both treatments, however, lasted less than 5 minutes after the limb was returned to a gravity-dependent position. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that elevation or elevation and intermittent compression do not effectively decrease ankle volume for a prolonged period of time in patients with postacute ankle sprains.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help