THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TAPING IN THE EDEMA AND PAIN OF ANKLE SPRAINS. A CLINICAL TRIAL

SPORTS MEDICINE REHABILITATION SECTION

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TAPING IN THE EDEMA AND PAIN OF ANKLE SPRAINS. A CLINICAL TRIAL

Lyrtzis C^1,2,  Noussios G² , Tsermakian T², Mitsakis I² , Natsis K^3
1General Hospital of Veria,
²Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Serres, Aristotle, University of Thessaloniki,
³Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece

INTRODUCTION. The sprains are the commonest injury of the ankle. The goals of treating acute ankle sprains are to decrease pain and swelling and to protect ankle ligaments from further injury. The aim of this survey is to study the efficacy of ankle taping for the reduction of the pain and acute edema of ankle sprains.
MATERIALS-METHODS. Seven football and five basketball players, 17 to 32 years old, with acute ankle sprain during a play were treated with ankle taping and bandage for 10 days. Another 10 players were treated only with ankle bandage. For all athletes was applied cryotherapy for the first three days and rest for 10 days. The edema and the pain were evaluated on the 1st, 3rd and 10th day following the injury. A tank was used for the pre and post treatment volumetric measurements. The VAScale was used for the evaluation of the pain.
RESULTS. There were not found significant differences between the two groups ankle edema reduction. The pain was significantly less in the group with ankle taping on the 3rd day following the injury, but not different the 10th day.
CONCLUSION. The ankle taping in acute posttraumatic period cannot decrease the posttraumatic edema of ankle sprain, but has effect on the pain the first 3 days.