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| Ankle Compression Variability using the Elastic Wrap, Elastic Wrap with a Horseshoe, Edema II Boot, and Air-Stirrup Brace |
| Source: MacLeod-Duffley H, Knight KL: Athletic Trainer 24(4): 320-323, 1989 |
| Summary: Since compression "is universally used as part of immediate care of athletic injuries", measurements of the pressure exerted over the anterior talo-fibular ligament, the influence of different people applying the devices, and the effect of different sized ankles were examined for four different compression devices. "The Air-Stirrup Brace exerted significantly lower pressure than the other devices… [and] had the smallest standard deviation, indicating that it was applied with the greatest consistency… Pressures exerted in this study were great enough to decrease or occlude venous blood flow, raising concern regarding adequate circulation. Application variability… is indicative of a haphazard and potentially harmful approach to compression application. If consistency of compression is a concern, either in teaching compression techniques or in clinical use of compression, emphasis needs to be placed on using a consistent form of compression, such as the Air-Stirrup used in this study." |