Therapeutic Strategies for Optimising Acute Ankle Sprain Recovery: An Evidence Review
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Abstract
Acute ankle sprains represent one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal injuries, accounting for approximately 85% of all ankle injuries and constituting a significant healthcare burden globally. Despite their frequency, optimal therapeutic management strategies remain inconsistently applied in clinical practice.
This comprehensive review synthesises current evidence-based therapeutic interventions for acute ankle sprain recovery, evaluating the efficacy of various treatment modalities and proposing an integrated approach to optimise patient outcomes.
A systematic review of literature published between 2016-2025 was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases. Search terms included "acute ankle sprain," "therapeutic strategies," "rehabilitation," "physiotherapy," and "recovery outcomes." Studies were included if they evaluated therapeutic interventions for acute lateral ankle sprains in adults.
Evidence supports a multimodal approach combining early mobilisation, functional support, cryotherapy, manual therapy, and progressive rehabilitation exercises. Six of the recommendations analyzed present enough evidence to be applied in clinical practice and are highly recommended for ankle sprain management: Ottawa rules, manual therapy, cryotherapy, functional supports, early ambulation, short term NSAIDs and rehabilitation. Called functional treatment, this strategy usually involves three phases: the RICE regimen in the first 24 to 48 hours to reduce pain, swelling, and risk of further injury; range-of-motion and ankle strengthening exercises within 48 to 72 hours; and training to improve endurance and balance A structured, evidence-based approach incorporating immediate care protocols, functional rehabilitation, and progressive return-to-activity guidelines optimises acute ankle sprain recovery while minimising recurrence risk and long-term complications.
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