Comparison of Icefeel® and Cryocuff® applications in the treatment of lateral ankle sprains
Zekiye Nisa Özberk1, Özlem Öner Coşkun1, Sabire Akın1, Feza Korkusuz2, Sedat Işıklı3
1Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Sağlık ve Rehberlik Merkezi
2Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bölümü
3Hacettepe Üniversitesi Psikoloji Bölümü
Keywords: Ankle injuries/therapy; athletic injuries/therapy; bandages; cryotherapy; sprains and strains/therapy; torque.
Abstract
Objectives: We compared the effectiveness of Icefeel® cold bandage and Cryocuff® applications in the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains.
Patients and methods: The study included 78 patients with a grade I-II lateral ankle sprain. The patients were randomly assigned to applications of Icefeel (n=38) and Cryocuff (n=40) groups. Evaluations were made in the first, fourth, 14th, and 28th days with regard to pain (visual analog scale), edema (volumetrically), range of motion (goniometry), and functional status (Kitaoka Functional Ankle Scale). In addition, in the 28th day, inversion-eversion isokinetic muscle strengths were calculated on an isokinetic testing machine (Biodex System 3 Pro) and talar tilts on inversion stress radiographs. Statistical evaluations were made by 2x4 repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: In the course of time, decreases in pain and edema levels, increases in range of motion in all directions, and improvements in functional status were observed in both groups (p<0.001). No significant differences occurred between the two groups during the same time levels (p>0.05). Invertors were found to be stronger at speeds of 30°/sec and 60°/sec and evertors at speeds of 60°/sec and 120°/sec in the Icefeel group (p<0.05). Stress radiographs obtained with 10 kg and 20 kg loads showed no significant differences between the two groups.
Conclusion: Icefeel and Cryocuff applications have similar effectiveness in the treatment of acute lateral ankle sprains, with the former having an advantage of early mobilization.