Advanced conservative treatment of complete acute rupture of the lateral ankle ligaments: Verifying by stabilometry.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the result of the specific conservative treatment of acute lateral ankle ligaments rupture and verify the effect of this therapy by stabilometry.

METHODS: 17 young athletes were examined after acute lateral ankle sprain (grade III). Diagnosis was based on musculoskeletal ultrasound examinations. Pressure plate evaluated postural stability after conservative treatment at regular intervals during 1year.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in postural stability in double-leg stance between limbs. In single-leg stance, COP confidence ellipse (p=0,011) and COP excursion in sagittal plane (p=0,000) were significantly higher for the injured leg when compared with the uninjured leg only one week after removing the cast.

CONCLUSIONS: After conservative treatment of grade III injuries with STABHA, immobilization with full weight bearing on the injured leg for 6 weeks and rehabilitation, stabilometry results showed that none of the patients had impaired postural stability or were at risk of functional ankle instability in the monitored period.