Risk Factors for Ankle Sprains

Anatomical risk factors of lateral ankle sprain

INTRO:
Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) are the most common musculoskeletal injuries, accounting for about 10%-30% of all athletic injuries.

LAS can have serious consequences for the injured athletes in terms of treatment costs and time lost from the sport. Up to 70% of cases are persistent and can lead to post-traumatic ankle arthritis. The highest rate of ankle sprain usually occurs in sports that involve running, cutting, and jumping. Understanding what increases risk of ankle sprain could improve effective prevention and rehab measures.

Saki et al. (2021) determined the risk of non contact ankle sprains in athletes based on:
Previous ankle sprain history.

Q angle [A]
Knee recurvatum [B]
Navicular drop [C]
Tibia vara [D]
Tibia torsion [E]
Ankle ROM [F]

METHODS:
152 adolescent male athletes assessed during preseason for 7 risk factors listed above.

LASs were prospectively recorded and diagnosed for two consecutive seasons (20 months).

RESULTS:
34 LASs reported (22.37%).

Logistic regression revealed 3 significant intrinsic predictors of LAS:

Previous ankle sprain history.
Navicular drop.
Knee recurvatum.

None of the other variables were identified as significant risk factors.

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses revealed predictive potentials:
Previous ankle sprain history [0.706]. Navicular drop [0.906].
Knee recurvatum [0.724].

CONCLUSIONS:
Athletes with previous ankle sprain history, knee recurvatum, and especially navicular drop may have a greater risk of LAS injury.

SOURCE:
Saki et al. 2021. Anatomical risk factors of lateral ankle sprain in adolescent athletes: Aprospective cohort study. PT in Sport. 48(2021), pp.26-34.

Dalton Urrutia, MSc PT

Dalton is a Physical Therapist from Oregon, currently living and running the performance physiotherapy clinic he founded in London for Grapplers and Strength & Conditioning athletes. Dalton runs the popular instagram account @physicaltherapyresearch, where he posts easy summaries of current and relevant research on health, fitness, and rehab topics.

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