Postural control following inversion injuries of the ankle

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1994 Sep;75(9):969-75.

Abstract

Postural control was investigated following unilateral inversion injury of the ankle in 24 trained and 24 untrained subjects at least 8 weeks following injury and following resumption of high-speed activities. The two groups differed in the practice of balance exercises in one-legged stance during rehabilitation. Using a force platform the variability of the mediolateral force signal was used to quantify steadiness as each subject stood in one-legged stance with the eyes open and closed on the injured and noninjured legs. A three way analysis of variance showed that for the untrained subjects postural steadiness was significantly worse on the injured leg than the noninjured leg both with eyes open (p < .05) and closed (p < .05). No postural deficit was found on the injured leg of the trained subjects with eyes open or closed (p > .05). It is strongly recommended that rehabilitation following inversion injury of the ankle include balance retraining to minimize the risk of further injury.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Exercise Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lateral Ligament, Ankle / injuries*
  • Male
  • Postural Balance*
  • Posture*
  • Sensation Disorders / diagnosis
  • Sensation Disorders / etiology*
  • Sensation Disorders / physiopathology
  • Sprains and Strains / complications*
  • Sprains and Strains / rehabilitation
  • Time Factors
  • Vision, Ocular