Study Design: Prospecfive correlational study involving a convenience sample. Objectk To investigate the relationships among figure-ofeight girth measurements and functional level in patients with acute lateral ankle sprains to determine the appropriate use of these clinical measures. Background: Research has shown that subjective scales of perceived athletic ability and measurements of swelling are useful in assessing clinical improvement following an acute ankle sprain; however, the relationship between ankle swelling and level of function is not known. Methods and Measures: Twenty-nine subjects (20 men, 9 women) varying in age from 18-59 years of age (mean age, 30.8 + 11.37) with acute lateral ankle sprains were included in this study. Each subject was evaluated by 1 of 3 raters for ankle girth, weight-bearing status, and functional level as determined by a modified Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Index (FAAI). This study also investigated the relationship between these measures and the sport subscale of the FAAl (FAA1 sport). This is an &item subscale which includes questions on running, jumping, landing, quick starts and stops, cutting or lateral movements, low impact activities, ability to perform an activity with normal technique, and ability to participate in desired sports. Results: No significant correlations were found behyeen figurwfeight girth measurements and functional level. However, we did find moderate to good correlations between the FAA1 vs. weight-bearing (rho = 0.73), FAA1 vs. AOS (rho = -0.79), FAA1 sport vs. weight-bearing (rho = 0.68), FAA1 vs. FAA1 Sport (rho = 0.73), weight-bearing vs. AOS (rho = -0.571, and FAAl Sport vs. AOS (rho = -0.50). Conclusions: The figure-ofeight method is highly reliable and is appropriate for measuring ankle swelling however, it does not correlate with functional level as determined by the modified AOS, FAAI, or observed weight-bearing status during gait. Therefore, clinicians should refrain from making assumptions about function based on ankle swelling. ) Orthop Sportr Phys 7her 2001;3 1:384-388.

The purpose of this study was to compare knowledge in managing low back pain (LBP) between physical therapists and family practice physicians. Fifty-four physical therapists and 130 family practice physicians currently serving in the U.S. Air Force completed standardized examinations assessing knowledge, attitudes, the usefulness of clinical practice guidelines, and management strategies for patients with LBP. Beliefs of physical therapists and family practice physicians about LBP were compared using relative risks and independent t tests. Scores related to knowledge, attitudes, and the usefulness of clinical practice guidelines were generally similar between the groups. However, physical therapists were more likely to recommend the correct drug treatments for patients with acute LBP compared to family practice physicians (85.2% vs. 68.5%; relative risk: 1.24 [95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.46]) and believe that patient encouragement and explanation is important (75.9% vs. 56.2%; relative risk: 1.35 [95% confidence interval: 1.09-1.67]). In addition, physical therapists showed significantly greater knowledge regarding optimal management strategies for patients with LBP compared to family practice physicians. The results of this study may have implications for health policy decisions regarding the utilization of physical therapists to provide care for patients with LBP without a referral.