Changes in active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion after acute inversion ankle sprain.

CONTEXT Posterior calf stretching is believed to improve active ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (AADFROM) after acute ankle-inversion sprain. OBJECTIVE To describe AADFROM at baseline (postinjury) and at 2-wk time periods for 6 wk after acute inversion sprain. DESIGN Randomized trial. SETTING Sports clinic. PARTICIPANTS 11 men and 11 women (age range 11-54 y) with acute inversion sprain. INTERVENTION Standardized home exercise program for acute inversion sprain. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE AADFROM with the knee extended. RESULTS Time main effect on AADFROM was significant (F3,57 = 108, P < .001). At baseline, mean active sagittal-plane motion of the ankle was 6 degrees of plantar flexion, whereas at 2, 4, and 6 wk AADFROM was 7 degrees, 11 degrees, and 11 degrees, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AADFROM increased significantly from baseline to week 2 and from week 2 to week 4. Normal AADFROM was restored within 4 wk after acute inversion sprain.