Table 3

*Effects in favour of functional treatment compared with immobilisation in the event of acute ankle injury46

Short-term (0 to 6 weeks)
Return to work2 RCTs; n=150; RR 5.75 (95% CI 1.01 to 32.71)
Swelling3 RCTs; n=260; RR 1.74 (95% CI 1.17 to 2.59)
Medium term (6 weeks–1 year)
Patient satisfaction2 RCTs; n=123; RR 4.25 (95% CI 1.12 to 16.09)
Long term (>1 year)
Return to sports5 RCTs; n=360; RR 1.86 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.86)
Resuming sport activity (number of days)3 RCTs n=195; MD 4.88 (95% CI 1.50 to 8.25)
Return to work (number of days)6 RCTs n=604; MD 8.23 (95% CI: 6.31 to 10.16)
  • * The effects per comparison are in favour of the former interventions.

  • MD, mean difference; RCT, randomised controlled trials.