Title : Clinical characteristics and one-year outcomes of lateral ankle sprains in young active adults referred for rehabilitation
Abstract:
Background and Objective: Lateral ankle sprains are among the most common musculoskeletal injuries in young active adults. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of patients referred to Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) following a first episode of lateral ankle sprain and to assess their outcomes after one year of follow-up.
Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 103 patients with lateral ankle sprains who were reassessed 12 months after injury. The study was carried out between 2018 and 2021 among patients referred for PRM management at the Regional University Military Hospital of Oran, Algeria.
Results: The study population consisted predominantly of men (96%), with a mean age of 28 years. Right and left ankles were equally affected (50% each), and dominant and non-dominant ankles were involved with equal frequency (50% each). Work-related injuries accounted for 44% of cases, while sports-related and domestic injuries each represented 28%. Severe sprains accounted for 37% of cases, moderate sprains for 59%, and mild sprains for 4%.Ninety-five percent of patients underwent rehabilitation, with a mean of 10 treatment sessions. The mean duration of sick leave was 48 days, and workplace adjustments were required in 27% of cases. Recurrences were reported in 17% of patients, and at least one residual symptom or clinical sign was observed in 69% of cases after one year.
Conclusion: A high prevalence of long-term sequelae was observed following lateral ankle sprains in this population. This finding may be related to the substantial proportion of severe injuries among patients referred for rehabilitation. These results highlight the importance of appropriate rehabilitation and long-term follow-up after ankle sprain.
Keywords: Lateral ankle sprain; rehabilitation; descriptive epidemiology; recurrence; long-term outcomes.
