Does prophylactic bracing of the ankle joint reduce ankle sprains?
Jerosch J, Thorwesten L, Bischoff M, Bork H
Research article in edited proceedings (conference)
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.
Details zur Publikation
Publisher: Kindermann W, Gabriel H, Schwarz L, Urhausen A
Book title: Int.J.Sports Med.
Release year: 1996
Publishing company: Thieme Verlag
Language in which the publication is written: English
Event: Stuttgart