Therapy and recurrence prevention of the ankle sprain in elite soccer players

BACKGROUND: This longitudinal randomized study to evaluate the importance of the bandage and prevention of the ankle sprains (1st and 2nd grade) in professional soccer team. METHODS: During two consecutive soccer championship we studied thirty athletes and diagnosed a total of 18 ankle sprains in 18 soccer-players. These athletes are randomly divided in two groups: Group A (9 athletes), treated with bandage and neuromuscular exercises after trauma and with preventive bandage before every match; Group B (9 athletes), treated only neuromuscular exercises after trauma, without any protection during the match. Every patient underwent to ultrasonography and x-ray to exclude the presence of fracture. An indipendent observer performed clinic exam during the training sessions to demonstrate signs of the ankle instability and fill out SF 36 form to evaluate the improvement of the activity or eventual recurrence. RESULTS: In the athletes of the Group A only 22% suffered a recurrence in same ankle and we observed an improvement of the score in SF 36 form, statistically significant using T-test (P<0,001). In the Group B 67% of the athletes had one or more than one recurrence in the same ankle quickly. CONCLUSIONS: Basing on own experience the use of the bandage is very important to care and prevent the ankle sprains and to reduce the incidence of the recurrence in soccer players, in association with an appropriate rehabilitation program and neuromuscular exercises. © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA.