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| Early Mobilization Versus Immobilization in the Treatment of Lateral Ankle Sprains |
| Source: Eiff PM, Smith AT, Smith GE: Am J Sports Med 22(1): 83-88, 1994 |
| Summary: A prospective trial was conducted to determine whether early mobilization or immobilization was more effective for treatment of first-time ankle sprains. "At the 10 day visit, the Early Mobilization Group had significantly better range of motion and weightbearing ability and were more likely to be back to full work… [T]he percentage of patients in the Early Mobilization Group who had returned to full work within 10 days of injury was four times greater than the percentage in the Immobilization Group… The differences in reported pain are clinically significant and provide evidence that early mobilization may be more comfortable for patients." The economic advantages of early mobilization with the Air-Stirrup Ankle Brace result from the substantially earlier return to full work, less time required to apply the brace than that to apply a splint or cast, and "the cost of splinting or casting usually [being] greater than the cost of a functional brace." |