Chronic pain severity influences peak torque and force control in patients with chronic ankle instability.

OBJECTIVE

The aim is to investigate the influence of chronic pain severity on peak torque and force control in chronic ankle instability (CAI) patients.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty participants were divided into three groups: 20 high pain patients with CAI (high pain), 20 low pain patients with CAI (low pain), and 20 healthy controls (control).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants performed three maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) and four force steadiness trials on the Biodex dynamometer (two at 10% and two at 20% of MVIC) for the evertors, invertors, and hip abductors.

RESULTS

The high pain group showed decreased peak torque in ankle evertors and hip abductors compared to the low pain group. The high pain group showed decreased peak torque in ankle evertors, invertors, and hip abductors compared to the control group. The high pain group showed worse force steadiness at 10% and 20% of MVIC and accuracy at 10% of MVIC in ankle evertors and hip abductors than the low pain and control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

CAI patients with high pain exhibit significant deficits in peak torque and force control across both ankle and hip musculature compared to those with low pain and healthy controls.