This study investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on acute ankle injuries and determined if HBO therapy shortened time to recovery, decreased edema and pain, and increased range of motion and strength of the ankle. Subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental (HBO) group (n = 4) or a control group (n = 4). All subjects received the same standardized physical therapy for lateral ankle sprains at the McGill Sport Medicine Clinic. The HBO group received 5 consecutive HBO treatments at 2.5 ATA for 90 minutes starting within 24 hours post injury. The control group received no HBO treatments. All subjects were evaluated by a physician within 24 hours of injury. All subjects suffered a second-degree lateral ankle sprain. Pain, range of motion, strength, volume displacement, and function were evaluated on the day of injury (Day 1), on Day 6 post injury, and on the day of return to play (Day RTP). There was no significant difference in time to return to play. However, the HBO group (25.5 +/- 11.6 days) did return 31% faster than the control group (36.8 +/- 19.4 days). There were no differences found between groups on the variables. There was a decrease in pain found over time (Day 1 was 57 mm, Day 6 was 18.5 mm, and Day RTP was 7 mm). The results of this study suggest that with treatment of HBO there is no effect on ankle sprains for return to play or improved function.

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Background: Acute ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability syndrome (CAIS) may be managed effectively through conservative management approaches such as strapping. There are two main types of strapping viz. rigid tape which is used to stabilise the joint and limit joint motion and elastic tape which permits joint motion but provides dynamic support. Kinesio™ tape is becoming increasingly popular in the management of various conditions. It is reportedly beneficial in reducing pain, improving circulation, increasing proprioception and correcting muscle function. Due to claimed benefits of Kinesio™ tape, it should, in theory, be beneficial in the management of individuals with CAIS particularly in terms of reducing pain and improving proprioception. AIM: To investigate the effect of three types of strapping applied in the method described for the application of Kinesio™ tape in the management of CAIS. METHODS This study consisted of three groups of 15 participants (recruited through convenience sampling) with each group receiving a different tape (i.e. rigid, elastic or Kinesio™ tape), all three groups, however, received the same taping method which was the Kinesio™ tape functional correction application. After obtaining informed consent each participant underwent a case history, physical examination and a foot an ankle orthopaedic examination. Thereafter, baseline measurements of subjective pain rating (NRS-101), pain threshold (analogue algometer), ankle dorsiflexion, plantarflexion and inversion (analogue goniometer) and proprioception (Biodex Biosway portable balance system) were documented. Depending on the group, the particular tape was then applied and a follow up consultation was made for two to three days later where the tape was removed, measurements were reassessed and the tape was reapplied. At the final consultation three to four days later, the tape was removed and final measurements were assessed and documented. Statistical intra- (using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test) and inter-group (using the Mann-Whitney U-test) analyses of the data were performed due to a skewed distribution of the variables. Data was analysed using SPSS version 21.0 with the level of significance set at 0.05. RESULTS The mean (± SD) age of the participants was 24.8 (4.7) and there were 23 male participants in total. Intra-group analyses of subjective outcome measurements showed significant increases (p < 0.05) in subjective pain rating in all three groups across all consultations. Similarly, intra-group analyses of objective outcome measurements found significant increases (p < 0.05) in pain threshold and dorsiflexion range of motion in all three groups across all consultations. Plantarflexion and inversion range of motion also showed significant increases (p < 0.05) but these were not consistent across all consultations. Intra-group analyses of the sway index showed no significant improvements (p > 0.05) in Groups Two and Three across the three consultations. Only Group One showed significant increases during the eyes open foam surface (EOFoS) (p = 0.013) and eyes closed foam surface (ECFoS) (p = 0.047) test conditions between Consultations One and Two. Inter-group analyses of subjective outcome measurements showed no significant increases (p > 0.05) in subjective pain rating across each of the three consults in all three groups. Inter-group analyses of objective outcome measurements revealed a significant increase in pain threshold (p = 0.040) between Groups Two and Three at Consultation One. There was a significant increase in plantarflexion between Groups One and Three at Consultation Two (p = 0.021) and Consultation Three (p = 0.030). There were no other significant results amongst the three groups. CONCLUSION The results suggest that pain rating, pain threshold and ankle dorsiflexion would improve if taping is applied in the manner described for Kinesio™ tape irrespective of the type of taping used in the management of CAIS. The taping method did not result in a significant difference in proprioception. Further studies, with larger sample sizes are required to confirm the findings of this study and to determine the role of taping in the management of CAIS. / M

No description available.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Background: Ankle sprains are a frequently occurring injury sustained by sports individuals accounting for approximately 20% to 40% of all sports injuries (DiStefano et al. 2008; LeBrun and Krause, 2005). Ankle sprains are mainly caused by excessive inversion (Takao et al., 2005; Andersen et al., 2004), when the foot is twisted inwards and lands at a high velocity damaging the lateral capsule-ligamentous complex (Beynnon et al., 2005). According to Naqvi, Cunningham and Lynch (2012) untreated or inappropriately managed ankle sprains can lead to a cascade of negative alteration to both the joint structures and the individual’s lifestyle. According to Hale, Hertel and Olmsted-Kramer (2007) 30% of ankle sprains result in chronic ankle instability (CAI) and 78% of the CAI cases develop into post-traumatic ankle osteoarthritis. This poses a negative impact on an individual’s athletic performance. Ankle sprains can be managed conservatively with the utilization of the PRICE protocol during the acute stage, cross friction massage or instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization techniques (for example Graston®, FAKTR© Concept) for both acute and subacute ankle sprains (Bleakley, 2010). Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a myofascial treatment protocol (FAKTR© Concept) combined with cryotherapy compared to cryotherapy and sham laser in the treatment of sub-acute and acute ankle inversion sprains. Objectives: 1. To determine the effectiveness of a myofascial treatment protocol combined with cryotherapy in terms of subjective (numerical pain rating scale [NRS] and foot function index [FFI]) and objective (oedema measurements [EDM], digital inclinometer readings [DIR], algometer readings [AR] and stork balance stand test score [STR]) measurements in the treatment of acute and sub-acute ankle sprains. 2. To determine the effectiveness of sham laser combined with cryotherapy in terms of subjective (NRS and FFI) and objective (EDM, DIR, AR and STR) measurements in the treatment of acute and sub-acute ankle sprains. 3. To compare the relative improvement between the two groups in terms of subjective (NRS and FFI) and objective measurement (EDM, DIR, AR and STR). Study design: This was a quantitative randomised controlled clinical trial. Methods: Forty participants with sub-acute or acute ankle sprains of not more than three weeks were recruited into the study. All participants had a full case history, physical, and foot and ankle regional examination to assess for their eligibility for entry into the study in terms of inclusion and exclusion criteria. These participants were randomly allocated using the hat method into one of two study groups, Group A (treatment group) or Group B. Participants in Group A received a myofascial treatment protocol (FAKTR© Concept) combined with cryotherapy and Group B received cryotherapy and sham laser. These participants had four treatments in two weeks where the appropriate treatment was administered. Pre-treatment subjective (NRS and FFI) and objective (EDM, DIR, AR and STR) measurements were taken at each consultation. This data was analysed using SPSS software version 24.0. Results: The General Linear Model for repeated measures was used for the intra- group and inter-group analysis of the data. Intra-group analysis of the FAKTR© treatment group showed that the group had statistically significant improvements in terms of the subjective and objective measurements of the study with the p-value < 0.05 between all treatment periods. Intra-group analysis of the control group showed no statistically significant improvements in terms of subjective and objective measurements of the study. Inter-group analysis showed no statistically significant difference in terms of the DIR and EDM. The NRS, AR, STR and FFI readings showed statistically significant differences between the two groups with a p-value of < 0.05 mainly on the last two consultations. Conclusion: This study concluded that the myofascial treatment protocol (FAKTR© Concept) combined with cryotherapy was more effective than cryotherapy and sham laser in the treatment of sub-acute and acute inversion ankle sprains. The FAKTR© Concept treatment group appeared to show statistically significant improvements compared to the control group.