Effect of Ankle Orthoses on Functional Performance for Individuals With Recurrent Lateral Ankle Sprains

Michael T. Gross, Lisa M. Clemence, B. Dwayne Cox, Henry P. McMillan, Amy F. Meadows, Christy S. Piland, Wendy S. Powers

Ankle orthoses are commonly used for protection against initial ankle sprain injuries and for protection against reinjury. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the DonJoy® Ankle Ligament Protector (ALP) and the Aircast® Sport-Stirrup™ (AS) on the functional performance tasks of a 40-meter sprint, a figure-of-eight run, and standing vertical jump. Subjects were 14 males and 9 females who reported a history of 2 or more lateral ankle sprains of the same ankle and no sprains of the contralateral ankle. Each subject performed all functional tasks on the first test day with both ankles unbraced and with the recurrently sprained ankle braced with 1 of the 2 orthoses. Each subject returned for testing on a second day and performed all tasks with both ankles unbraced and with the other orthoses on the recurrently sprained ankle. Subjects also rated the orthoses for comfort and support. Analysis of variance indicated that braced data were not significantly different than unbraced data and that data for the 2 orthoses did not differ significantly for any of the functional performance tasks. Seventy-four percent of the subjects reported the AS was more comfortable than the ALP, and 61% of the subjects indicated that the AS provided more support than the ALP. Neither orthosis had an effect on functional performance. The results may assist clinicians in selecting either of these orthoses for use in protection against ankle sprain injury.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1997;25(4):245-252.

Key Words: ankle, brace, injury, rehabilitation

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