Randomized Trial of Physical Therapy After Simple Acute Ankle Sprain

Most ankle sprains are simple grade 1 (mechanically stable) or grade 2 (some joint laxity) ligament sprains; many such sprains result in persistent impairment. Although physical therapy (PT) often is prescribed for patients with grade 1 and 2 ankle sprains, PT's effects on recovery are unclear. Researchers in Canada enrolled 504 patients (age range, 16–79) who presented with grade 1 or 2 ankle sprains within 72 hours of injury. Participants were randomized to usual care (medical assessment, instructions for home management of the injury [e.g., rest, ice, compression]) or to usual care plus supervised PT (initial assessment, as many as 7 half-hour sessions augmented by a home exercise plan).

In intent-to-treat analysis, the proportion of pati…