Relationship between Ankle-Foot Swelling and Self-Assessed Function after Ankle Sprain

PURPOSE: Decreasing swelling after ankle sprain is a main focus of treatment, as it is believed that swelling is related to function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ankle-foot swelling and self-assessed ankle function in the early period after ankle sprain. METHODS: Thirty-six individuals were tested for ankle-foot volume and self-assessed ankle function within days of spraining their ankle. Volumetric measurements of the injured and uninjured ankle-foot segment were taken with a foot and ankle volumeter. Stepwise linear regression analysis was performed, with function being the dependent variable, and the following variables included as independent variables: gender, age, body mass index, previous history of sprain in the injured ankle, and the volume difference between the injured and uninjured ankle-foot segment. RESULTS: None of the independent variables were significantly related to self-assessed function. Pearson's correlation coefficient for the injured minus uninjured ankle-foot volume and self-assessed ankle function was -0.003. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there is no relationship between ankle-foot swelling and self-assessed ankle function in the early period after ankle sprain injury.