Clinical Examination Results in Individuals With Functional Ankle Instability and Ankle-Sprain Copers

Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2013

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Athletic Training

Volume

48

Issue

5

First Page

581

Last Page

589

DOI of Original Publication

10.4085/1062-6050-48.3.15

Comments

Originally published J Athl Train. 2013 Sep-Oct; 48(5): 581–589. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-48.3.15. Dr Arnold is now at Indiana University and Purdue University, Indianapolis.

Date of Submission

February 2015

Abstract

Context:

Why some individuals with ankle sprains develop functional ankle instability and others do not (ie, copers) is unknown. Current understanding of the clinical profile of copers is limited.

Objective:

To contrast individuals with functional ankle instability (FAI), copers, and uninjured individuals on both self-reported variables and clinical examination findings.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Sports medicine research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants:

Participants consisted of 23 individuals with a history of 1 or more ankle sprains and at least 2 episodes of giving way in the past year (FAI: Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool [CAIT] score = 20.52 ± 2.94, episodes of giving way = 5.8 ± 8.4 per month), 23 individuals with a history of a single ankle sprain and no subsequent episodes of instability (copers: CAIT score = 27.74 ± 1.69), and 23 individuals with no history of ankle sprain and no instability (uninjured: CAIT score = 28.78 ± 1.78).

Intervention(s):

Self-reported disability was recorded using the CAIT and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure for Activities of Daily Living and for Sports. On clinical examination, ligamentous laxity and tenderness, range of motion (ROM), and pain at end ROM were recorded.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Questionnaire scores for the CAIT, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure for Activities of Daily Living and for Sports, ankle inversion and anterior drawer laxity scores, pain with palpation of the lateral ligaments, ankle ROM, and pain at end ROM.

Results:

Individuals with FAI had greater self-reported disability for all measures (P < .05). On clinical examination, individuals with FAI were more likely to have greater talar tilt laxity, pain with inversion, and limited sagittal-plane ROM than copers (P < .05).

Conclusions:

Differences in both self-reported disability and clinical examination variables distinguished individuals with FAI from copers at least 1 year after injury. Whether the deficits could be detected immediately postinjury to prospectively identify potential copers is unknown.

Rights

Copyright © by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Inc

Is Part Of

VCU Physical Therapy Publications

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