Score analysis of ankle joint laxity and the incidence of ankle injury in professional female athletes

Ankle injury occurs in 45% of sports injuries, and as many as 14% of them is severe injuries. This condition is quite common in athletes such as athletics. The current solution for athletes with joint instability is to take preventive measures to minimize the possibility of injury. This study aims to analyse the instability score on the incidence of ankle injuries in female professional athletes. This retrospective study analysed data from professional female athletes to assess the incidence of ankle injuries in relation to their history of ankle instability. The study involved evaluating ankle instability using the Beighton score, the AOFAS score, and a detailed history of prior ankle injuries. Out of the total sample, 168 female athletes were identified, with 141 (80%) reporting a history of ankle injuries. The most frequent injury was ankle-related, occurring in 28% of the sample. Among those with prior ankle injuries, 83% (30 out of 36) showed a positive result on the Beighton score. The AOFAS evaluation revealed that 25% (12 athletes) had excellent ankle function, while 75% (36 athletes) demonstrated superb function. The use of the Beighton score and AOFAS score for evaluating professional female athletes with a history of ankle injuries proves to be effective in identifying those at higher risk for future injuries, thereby aiding in prevention strategies.