After a grade 1–2 ankle sprain, therapeutic exercise started in the first week improved function at weeks 1 and 2 compared with rest, ice, compression and elevation, with no more pain, swelling or re-injury
Key Findings
Function was better with early therapeutic exercise than with rest, ice, compression and elevation at week 1 (difference 5.28) and week 2 (4.92), with no difference in pain, swelling or re-injury (4% in both).
101 patients with an acute grade 1 or 2 ankle sprain: early therapeutic exercise in the first week vs standard protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation.
Function (Lower Extremity Functional Scale) favoured exercise overall (P = 0.0077): baseline-adjusted difference 5.28 at week 1 (98.75% CI 0.31–10.26) and 4.92 at week 2 (0.27–9.57).
No group difference at any time point in pain at rest, pain on activity or swelling.
Re-injury rate 4% (two in each group).
Practical Application
For a mild or moderate sprain that has passed the imaging check REF-1022, gentle movement and comfortable walking in the first days is safe and brings function back sooner; strict rest is not better.
"Early exercise" here is range-of-motion and light strengthening, not running — running waits for the criteria in REF-1023.
Limitations
The benefit was confined to the first two weeks; the outcome is a function scale, not return to running; re-injury follow-up 16 weeks.
Abstract only was read.