Physiotherapeutic management of acute ankle sprains : a survey of clinical practice in the Western Cape and comparison thereof to evidence based guidelines

Date
2013-12
Authors
Simpson, Helene
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Ankle sprains are reportedly the most common lower limb injury amongst active individuals. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment interventions employed by physiotherapists during the first week of functional rehabilitation of an ankle sprain, at primary care level, were aligned with evidence-based guidelines for acute ankle sprains. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants: A total of 91 physiotherapists from the Western Cape Metropole (WCM) completed questionnaires. Method: Physiotherapists' treatment interventions were recorded based on a case study of a typical moderately sprained ankle. According to classification of the West Point Ankle Grading System, a moderate sprain is a partial macroscopic tear of the ligaments with moderate pain, swelling and tenderness with some loss of motion and mild to moderate instability of the joint. Anticipated return to sport is two to six weeks. Relative occurrence of selected interventions during the first week of rehabilitation was calculated. Chi-square tests were used to compare differences between physiotherapists' responses and the recommendations of the practice guidelines. Results: Physiotherapists' overall selections of treatment interventions were in alignment with the "Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap voor Fysiotherapie" (KNGF) guidelines and correlated positively to the recommendations stipulated by KNGF therein. Physiotherapists indicated many interventions for which good evidence exists: compression, cryotherapy, early mobilisation, and neuromuscular exercises. It is of concern that 49% – 91% (n = 91) physiotherapists indicated some form of manual mobilisations for which there is a lack of evidence, and more than two-thirds indicated the application of an electrotherapy intervention, which is not recommended in the guidelines. Conclusion: Physiotherapists should reconsider interventions for which there is no evidence as this may reduce cost of care, without compromising patient outcomes.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verslae dui daarop dat verstuite enkels die mees algemene besering van die onderste ledemaat van aktiewe persone is. Doelwit: Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was om vas te stel of fisioterapeute in primere gesondheidsorg se keuse van rehabilitasie tegnieke gedurende die eerste week van funksionele rehabilitasie na 'n enkel besering, op koers is met bewysgebaseerde kliniese riglyne in die hantering van akute enkel beserings. Ontwerp: 'n Beskrywende deursnit ondersoek is geloods. Deelnemers: 'n Vooraf opgestelde vraelys is deur 91 fisioterapeute in die Weskaapse metropool voltooi. Metodiek: 'n Gevalle studie is aangebied van 'n tipiese matige verstuite enkel. Die respondent moes hulle tegnieke in die hantering van die geval aandui. Volgens die klassifikasie van die “West Point Grading System” word so 'n verstuiting gekenmerk deur makroskopiese gedeeltelike skeur van die enkel ligamente, matige pyn, swelsel en tasteerheid van die area. Dit gaan gepaard met 'n effense verlies van beweging en stabiliteit van die gewrig. Die prognose vir so 'n besering om na sport terug te keer is om en by twee tot ses weke. Die insidensie van aanwending van geselekteerde metodes van behandeling gedurende die eerste week en die verhouding met die vooraf geselekteerde behandelings riglyne opgestel deur die “Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap voor Fysiotherapie” (KNGF) is bereken en ontleed. Die “Chi-square” toets is gebruik om die verskil te bereken tussen die respons van die Fisioterapeute en die aanbevelings van die kliniese riglyne. Resultate: Oorkoepelend is die keuses van behandelings tegnieke deur die fisioterapeute in lyn met die riglyne van die 'Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap voor Fysiotherapie' (KNGF). Verskeie sinvolle behandelings is gekies waarvoor daar positiewe aanduidings was, byvoorbeeld: lokale kompressie, ys terapie, en oefeninge. Dit is egter kommerwekkend dat 49 – 91% (n=91) van die deelnemers 'n manuele tegniek ingesluit het waar daar tans gebrekkige aanduidings voor bestaan. Verder, het meer as twee derdes van die fisioterapeute aangedui dat hulle elektroterapie sou gebruik wat nie in riglyne aanbeveel word nie. Gevolgtrekking: Fisioterapeute moet die gebruik van tegnieke waarvoor daar nie duidelike bewyse in die literatuur bestaan nie, heroorweeg, want dit mag die koste van behandeling verminder, sonder om die positiewe resultate van herstel, negatief te beinvloed.
Description
Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
Keywords
Dissertations -- Physiotherapy, Theses -- Physiotherapy, Ankle -- Wounds and injuries -- Physical therapy
Citation