Nov 28, 2022Reviewing the Prevalence of Ankle Sprain Injuries
Everyone suffers an ankle sprain at one point or another. However, recent studies show that those who participate in sports or train regularly can expect a lower incidence of them.
The study, entitled “The Incidence & Prevalence of Ankle Sprain Injury: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis of Prospective Epidemiological Studies,” published the findings of its theory in the journal ‘Sports Medicine.’ The authors provided accounts of the incidence rate and prevalence period of injury, which was not limited by timeframe or context activity.
A recent story from NDTV.com detailed the study’s findings. Below is an excerpt from the NDTV.com article.
The researchers used a systematic review and meta-analyses of English articles using relevant computerized databases. Search terms included “Medical Search Headings for the ankle joint, injury and epidemiology.”
Based on an adapted version of the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines for rating observational studies, the average rating of all included studies was 6.67/11. There were 116 high-quality studies and 65 low-quality studies.
The sport category with the highest incidence of ankle sprain was indoor/court sports, with a cumulative incidence rate of 7 per 1,000 exposures or 1.37 per 1,000 athlete exposures and 4.9 per 1,000 h. Low-quality studies tended to underestimate the incidence of ankle sprain when compared with high-quality studies (0.54 vs 11.55 per 1,000 exposures). Ankle sprain prevalence period estimates were similar across sub-groups. Lateral ankle sprain was the most commonly observed type.
However, the study further stated, “Females were at a higher risk of sustaining an ankle sprain compared with males and children compared with adolescents and adults, with indoor and court sports the highest risk activity.”
Studies at a greater risk of bias were more likely to underestimate the risk. Participants were at a significantly higher risk of sustaining a lateral sprain compared with syndesmotic and medial ankle sprains.
Strong evidence from studies suggests once people sprain their ankle, they are more likely to re-sprain it.
To read the full story from NDTV.com, click here.
