Does prophylactic bracing of the ankle joint reduce ankle sprains?

Jerosch J, Thorwesten L, Bischoff M, Bork H

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the propriocep­tive capabilities of ankle joints. Material and Methods: 14 volun­teers without any injury of the ankles and 16 patients with un­stable ankle joints were tested regarding their proprioceptive capabilities. Three tests were used for the study: single-leg stance test, single-leg jumping course test, angle-reproduction test. The influence of three stabilization devices on the prop'rioceptivity of stable and unstable ankle joints were evaluated. Results: All three tests showed significant better values using stabilization devices than without any stabilisation device. In the score of the single-leg jumping course test the volunteer achieved better scores using braces. The differences "standard vs. Mikros" as weil as "standard vs. Aircast" were significant (p=0.01 ). There was a significant difference between the categories regarding injured and not-in­jured ankle joints. The "single leg stand-test" showed significant differences between stabilizing devices and no stabilizing device. Conclusions: The results of the three tests showed a highly signif­icant difference between injured and not injured ankle joints. A posttraumatic deficit in proprioception can be documented. The tested ankle braces improve the proprioception of both the in­jured and the not injured ankle joint. The tape bandage, however, does not seem to have any significant impact on the propriocep­tion in our setup.