Evidence-Based Treatment for Acute Ankle Sprain
Clinical Scenario
Acute ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries encountered in clinical practice. Effective management aims to relieve pain and swelling in the short term and restore full joint function over time, while reducing the risk of recurrence.
Treatment Approach
Management of acute ankle sprain is supported by strong and moderate evidence across several therapeutic categories. The approach combines anti-inflammatory medication and early mobilisation as a foundation, alongside specific forms of exercise and physical therapy targeting the ankle.
The complete regimen — including therapy selection, sequencing, and supporting interventions — is available in the full structured protocol below.
Treatment Goals
- Reduction in ankle pain
- Reduction in ankle swelling
- Improved self-reported ankle joint function
References
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096178
- For the treatment of acute ankle sprain, there is strong evidence for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and early mobilisation, with moderate evidence supporting exercise and manual therapy techniques, for pain, swelling and function.
- The reviews were unanimous in their consensus that exercise therapy improves self-reported function following acute ankle sprain.
- The reviews were unanimous in their consensus that braces and taping are effective in the treatment of acute ankle sprains for the primary outcomes of self-reported function and recurrence.
- There is a level of B or fair evidence for manipulative therapy of the ankle and/or foot combined with multimodal or exercise therapy for ankle inversion sprain.
- For the combined outcomes of pain, swelling and function after an acute sprain, there was strong evidence for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and early mobilisation, with moderate evidence supporting exercise and manual therapy techniques.
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