Individuals with recurrent ankle sprain demonstrate postural instability and neuromuscular control deficits in unaffected side

Jin Hyuck Lee, Soon Hyuck Lee, Gi Won Choi, Hae Woon Jung, Woo Young Jang

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    23 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Purpose: To compare proprioception, postural stability, and neuromuscular control between patients with mechanical laxity and recurrent ankle sprain. Methods: Among 86 patients with ankle instability, 45 patients had mechanical laxity (mean age 27.2 ± 7.0 years) and 41 had recurrent ankle sprain (mean age 25.1 ± 9.2 years). Both the affected and unaffected ankles of each patient were evaluated. Proprioception and neuromuscular control tests were conducted using an isokinetic machine, and postural stability was tested using a postural stabilometry system. Results: Proprioception was not significantly different between the unaffected or affected ankles of the mechanical laxity group compared with those of the recurrent ankle sprain group (n.s). Static and dynamic postural stability and neuromuscular control were similar in the affected ankles between the two groups (n.s). However, postural stability (static, overall: p = 0.009, anterior–posterior: p = 0.028, medial–lateral: p = 0.022; dynamic, overall: p = 0.012, anterior–posterior: p = 0.004, medial–lateral: p = 0.001) and neuromuscular control (inversion: p = 0.031, eversion: p = 0.039, dorsiflexion: p = 0.029, plantarflexion: p = 0.035) were significantly decreased in the unaffected ankles of the recurrent ankle sprain group compared with those of the mechanical laxity group. Conclusion: The unaffected ankles of the recurrent ankle sprain group showed significant decreases in both postural stability and neuromuscular control compared with the mechanical laxity group. Clinicians and therapists should consider unaffected ankle rehabilitation in patients with recurrent ankle sprain to prevent future sprain events. Level of evidence: Case–control study, III.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)184-192
    Number of pages9
    JournalKnee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
    Volume28
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2020 Jan 1

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2018, European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, Arthroscopy (ESSKA).

    Keywords

    • Mechanical laxity
    • Neuromuscular control
    • Postural stability
    • Proprioception
    • Recurrent ankle sprain

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Surgery
    • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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