Correlation of limping during walking with pain, oedema and restriction of ankle range of motion after ankle sprains

Abstract

Purpose. The correlation of the degree of ankle sprain, pain, oedema and the restriction of the range of motion of the ankle with limping during walking after ankle sprain in the acute post-traumatic period.

Material and method. The sample consisted of 68 individuals, 18-50 years old, with

1st and 2nd degree ankle sprain. We evaluated the degree of sprain with clinical examination, the pain with VaScale, the oedema with figure of eight method as well as the restriction of the range of motion of the ankle with a digital goniometer. The limping concerning the difference in support time at each leg while walking was evaluated too.

Results. Statistically, the degree of ankle sprain was found to be significantly correlated with pain (Spearman’s rho = 0.660, p = 0.000), oedema (Spearman’s rho = 0.672, p = 0.000) and restriction on its range of motion (Spearman’s rho = 0.564, p = 0.000). The difference in walking support time was significantly correlated with pain (Spearman’s rho = 0.297, p = 0.014) and the degree of sprain (Spearman’s rho = 0.362, p = 0.002) but not with oedema and restriction on the range of motion of the ankle.

Conclusion. The intensity of the pain and the ankle sprain degree can be evaluated by the degree of limping during walking. However, the swelling and the restriction on the range of the ankle motion cannot be evaluated by the degree of limping during walking after an ankle sprain.