Compression Stockings in Ankle Sprain

Introduction: Ankle sprain is a frequently encountered trauma lesion in emergency departments and is associated with important health expenses. However, appropriate care of this trauma lesion remains a matter of debate.

Hypothesis: The tested hypothesis is that compression stockings enable to reduce the median of recovery from ankle sprain by at least 6 days.

Main end point: Delay to recovery of normal painless walking, without any analgesic drug consumption.

Secondary end points : Pain at rest and during walking using a visual analog pain scale, bimalleolar and middle-feet perimeters, number of days with analgesic drug consumption, observance analysis, patient's tolerance using a visual analog scale, delay to recover sport activities in the subgroup of patients having a regular sport activity.

Methods: Multicenter Prospective randomized superiority controlled trial comparing leg stockings and standard care to standard care of ankle sprain. Standard care include the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) protocol at admission, immobilization with ankle bracing (3 to 6 week duration according to severity and clinical course), recommendation for walking (no weight baring, partial weight bearing, total weight bearing), administration of analgesic drugs. The medical device tested in the present study is class II compressive stockings (compression between 15 and 20 mmHg).

Number of patients: With an alpha risk of 5%, a beta risk of 5%, 70 patients should be included in each group to be able to detect a 6 day difference in the delay of recovery, defined as normal painless walking without any analgesic drug consumption, taking into consideration 10% of patients lost during follow up.

Criteria for inclusion: Recent (<48h) ankle sprain without fracture and without other traumatic lesions in adult patients aged between 18 and 55 years. Patients with limb arterial disease, diabetes, or any diseases expected to potentially interfere with recovery of walking, are excluded as well as pregnant women.

Study schedule: Inclusion during first visit to the emergency department, then at day 7, 15-21, 30-45, and 90. Phone call interviews are performed to define the more appropriate timing of the visits.

Inclusion criteria

• Recent (<48h) ankle sprain without fracture and without other traumatic lesions in adult patients aged between 18 and 55 years.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with limb arterial disease, diabetes, or any diseases expected to potentially interfere with recovery of walking, are excluded as well as pregnant women