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Table 3 Current management practices of ankle sprains in netball compared to best practice recommendations

From: Current ankle sprain prevention and management strategies of netball athletes: a scoping review of the literature and comparison with best-practice recommendations

 

Netball

best-practice recommendations

Treatment and rehabilitation

The evidence suggests a minority of netball athletes who sustain an ankle sprain or injury are referred to a health professional. Composite treatment was most commonly undertaken by community-level netball athletes following an ankle injury. Injury advice and home exercise programs were commonly provided. Ice and rest, in isolation or combination, were prescribed less often

Rehabilitation-Oriented Assessment (ROAST) [68]

(1) Self-reported pain (NPS or FADI); (2) Ankle joint swelling (FEM); (3) Ankle ROM (WBLT or A-SEBT); (4) Talocrural joint arthrokinematics (PTGT); (5) Muscle strength (hand-held dynamometry); (6) Static postural balance (BESS or FLT); (7) Dynamic postural balance (SEBT); (8) Gait (Visual Assessment); (9) Pre-injury physical activity level (Tegner Scale); (10) Patient-reported outcome measures (FADI or FAAM)

Perceptual-Interdependence Framework [69]

NICE – NSAIDs, ice, compression, and elevation

EASY—external ankle support  for at least 12 months following injury

Optimal Loading—early commencement of ankle–foot mobilisation

Exercise Rehabilitation—balance and coordination exercise program

Return to sport

Early return to sport following ankle sprains and injuries were consistently reported across all studies in netball. Up to three-in-four netball athletes returned to court immediately following an ankle sprain. Time-loss following an ankle sprain varied across studies. All netball athletes were able to return to court within 4 weeks of their injury. Most were able to return within one or two matches following their ankle sprain. No studies reported whether netball athletes undertook to return to sport testing and/or received medical clearance before returning to netball

PAASS Framework [73]

(P) Pain severity (during sports participation and over the last 24 h); (A) Ankle impairments (ROM, strength, endurance and power); (A) Athlete perception (perceived confidence/reassurance, stability & psychological readiness); (S) Sensorimotor control (proprioception & dynamic postural control/balance; (S) Sport/functional performance (hopping, jumping, agility, sport-specific activities & ability to complete a full training session)

  1. A-SEBT anterior reach of Star Excursion Balance Test, BESS Balance Error Scoring System, FAAM Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, FADI Foot and Ankle Disability Index, FEM figure of eight measurement, FIFA Fédération Internationale de Football Association, HHD hand-held dynamometry, NPS numerical pain scale, PTGT Posterior Talar Glide Test, ROM range of motion, SEBT star excursion balance test, WBLT weight-bearing lunge test