Ankle Injury Treatment Guidelines

Introduction to Ankle Injury Treatment

For acute ankle sprains, the British Journal of Sports Medicine recommends using a semirigid ankle brace or lace-up support for 4-6 weeks, rather than an air splint or immobilization, as functional support with early exercise therapy provides superior outcomes, including faster recovery, reduced recurrence, and better long-term function 1, 2
The American Family Physician guidelines suggest using semirigid or lace-up supports over elastic bandages and similar devices, such as air splints, for functional treatment of ankle sprains 4, 1

For the first 10 days of acute ankle sprain treatment, short immobilization with rigid support is acceptable if there is severe pain or edema, then transition to functional treatment 2, 3
For weeks 1-6 of acute ankle sprain treatment, use a semirigid ankle brace or lace-up support, combined with early exercise therapy, rather than an air splint, to reduce recurrent injuries and functional instability while enabling quicker recovery 1, 2, 5
Ankle braces show the greatest effects compared to other functional supports, and this approach reduces recurrent injuries and functional instability while enabling quicker recovery 2
Prolonged immobilization should be avoided, as it leads to worse outcomes, including muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, and delayed recovery 2, 3, 5

The American Family Physician and British Journal of Sports Medicine recommend not using air splints as primary treatment for ankle sprains, as they provide inadequate support compared to semirigid braces 4, 2
Immobilization beyond 10 days should be avoided, as functional treatment with bracing is superior 2, 3
Passive treatment alone should not be relied upon, and any support device should be combined with active exercise therapy for optimal outcomes 2, 3, 5