Comparison of Acute Swelling and Function in Subjects with Lateral Ankle Injury

Abstract

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 Disablement in the Physically Active Scale, Part II: The Psychometric Properties of an Outcomes Scale for Musculoskeletal Injuries

“…The measurement of multiple disablement constructs has been examined in a variety of studies in sports medicine. Many authors 10,11,[15][16][17]28,52,53 highlight the fact that to fully assess the effects of disablement, it must be measured along multiple constructs, including impairments, functional limitations, and disability. Including HRQOL in the scale was important to understanding the effects of disablement on patients.…”

Validity of the lower extremity functional movement screen in patients with chronic ankle instability

“…Rehabilitation is more likely to address functional ankle instability rather than implies a comparison 12 ) . Despite the frequency of ankle instability, no widely accepted outcomes tool is available to measure ankle function and stability 13 ) .…”

A Survey of Self-reported Outcome Instruments for the Foot and Ankle

“…doi:10.2519/ jospt.2007.2403 be combined with scores from items that assess activity and participation, as relationships between (1) body structure and function and (2) activity and performance have not been reported in the literature to date. 4,21,22,42,45,65,67,73,75,85 Although issues of body structure and function may be important, an individual's ability to execute tasks and to participate in life situations may be more useful when describing functional outcomes.…”