Progressive rehabilitation of the sprained ankle: A novel treatment method.

OBJECTIVES:This randomised, single blinded cohort study was designed to assess the immediate effect of manual fascial manipulation on walking pain and the range of ankle dorsiflexion within the first 4 days after ankle trauma. METHODS:Measurements were taken from 19 subjects, 5 female and 14 male, who presented with grade I-III ankle sprains. Ankle dorsiflexion was photographed in a standardised position and calculated by means of the Dartfish® Advanced Video Analysis Software and SPSS® (version 17) was used to compare the pre- and post-treatment data. RESULTS:After one treatment session 13 of the 19 subjects were walking pain free and 3 of the 19 where walking with only little pain. The highly significant (p<0.001) mean improvement of ankle dorsiflexion was 7.9° (±5.8°). All, apart from one subject, whom were walking pain free after treatment showed a minimum of 4° increased dorsiflexion. CONCLUSION:Early fascia work around the injured ankle improves ankle dorsiflexion and reduces walking pain. It may reduce the delay of tissue healing and, thus, optimise further rehabilitation of the sprained ankle which may also reduce socio-economic costs.