Do Current Management Practices for Sprained Ankles Hasten Recovery?
– presented by Michael G. Dolan, MA, ATC, CSCS Ankle sprains are the most common injury in intercollegiate and interscholastic athletics and result in significant time loss from practices and games. The near universal management of ankle sprains and other soft tissue injuries includes the application of ice, compression and elevation. In addition, clinicians use other therapies such as electrical stimulation, NSAIDS, contrast baths, etc. to speed recovery following soft tissue injuries. Despite the long history and near universal application of these clinical techniques, limited evidence from controlled research substantiate any of these everyday practices. There is little doubt that interventions such as cold, compression, electrical stimulation and NSAIDs can ameliorate symptoms of soft tissue injures, including sprains. However, it is not at all clear that masking or reducing the severity of symptoms hastens recovery following soft tissue injuries. This presentation will critically
