Riassunto dello studio

Ten randomized controlled trials including 565 patients with grade I and II acute ankle sprains were analyzed. Patients were randomized to receive physical therapy or conventional treatment. Physical therapy interventions included exercise therapy, ultrasound therapy, thermotherapy, hydrotherapy, stretching, and functional rehabilitation, while conventional treatments included RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) treatment, standard care, placebo therapy, and cast immobilization. The primary outcome of interest was post-treatment pain measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included VAS pain at rest, VAS pain during exercise, and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion. Outcomes were assessed from a few days up to six weeks post-intervention. Overall, the results of the study revealed that physical therapy resulted in significantly greater pain reduction compared with conventional treatment, particularly for pain at rest, while no significant differences were observed for dorsiflexion range of motion.