Effect of Early Physiotherapy after Lateral Ankle Ligament Injury on Pain and Function. Systematic Review

Abstract

Background. Lateral ankle ligament injuries are most common in sports, which affects athletes in all ages. It has been found that lateral ankle ligaments are injured in 1 of 10000 physically active people. Higher sports level professional players and amateurs need to return to sport early with no physical, psychological and economic consequences. Studies search for the most effective treatment after lateral ankle ligament injuries. Research aim – to perform a systematic review and determine the effect of early physiotherapy on pain and function after lateral ankle ligament injury. Methods. We conducted literature search using the Pubmed, Ebsco, Pedro, Google scholar databases, and chose controlled trials where early physiotherapy orientated to pain and function was used. Results. In control groups where traditional immobilization with RICE method was used, pain decreased to 1.96 ± 1.33 points, in the intervention groups who had early physiotherapy and RICE method, pain decreased to 1.53 ± 1.23 points. Effect size in control groups was r = 0.55 points, in the intervention groups it was r = 0.54 points. In control groups who had traditional immobilization with RICE method, function increased to 68.67 ± 16.79 point, in the intervention groups who had early physiotherapy and RICE method, function increased to 75.61 ± 13.27 points. Effect size in control groups was r = 0.82 points, in the intervention groups r = 0.88 point. Conclusions. Early physiotherapy orientated to pain and functions after lateral ankle ligaments injury helps to reduce pain faster and increases function, and helps return back to work and sports activities.

Keywords: lateral ankle ligament, injuries, early physiotherapy.