The study aimed to evaluate whether elastic stockings improve recovery following ankle sprain.
All patients within 72xA0;h of ankle sprain were identified in Accident & Emergency or the Fracture Clinic. Consenting patients, stratified for sex, were randomised to either: (i) Tubigrip or (ii) class II below knee elastic stockings (ESs, Medi UK Ltd.) which were fitted immediately and worn until the patient was pain-free and fully mobile. The deep veins of the injured legs were imaged by duplex Doppler for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) at 4 weeks. Outcome was compared using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) and SF12v2 for quality of life.
In the 36 randomised patients, the mean (95%confidence interval (CI)) circumference of the injured ankle treated by ES was 23.5 (23-24) cm initially and 22 (22-23) and 22 (21-22.5) cm at 4 and 8 weeks (p < 0.001) compared with 24 (23-25) cm initially and 24 (23-25) and 24 (23-24.5) cm using Tubigrip (p < 0.001). By 8 weeks, the mean AOFAS and SF12v2 scores were significantly improved by ES at 99 (8.1) and 119 (118-121) compared with 88 (11) and 102 (99-107) with Tubigrip (p < 0.001). Of the 34 duplex images at 4 weeks, none had a DVT.
Elastic compression improves recovery following ankle sprain.