The treatment of ankle sprain by bandaging and antiphlogistic drugs.

A prospective randomized investigation comprised 119 patients with ankle sprains, treated by the application of a layer bandage or elastic adhesive tape bandage. In addition, the patients received drug treatment as a double blind test: placebo, or oxyphenbutazone 100 mg or clonixin 300 mg three times daily. The drug study comprised 106 patients. Clinical examination and measurements of foot volume were carried out initially and 5-7 days after injury. The patients were asked to complete a follow-up questionnaire describing their symptoms and walking ability. No statistically significant difference was observed between the differently bandaged groups with regard to clinical findings and foot volume. Elastic adhesive tape bandage caused more complications, mainly compression, irritation of the skin or rash, compared with the layer bandage (p less than 0.05). Clonixin proved useful in controlling swelling and in the authors opinion gave the best clinical result. The bandages used in the study were tested in 20 patients by mechanically rotating the bandaged ankle under general or spinal anaesthesia. The layer bandage proved more stable in the lateral direction than the elastic adhesive tape bandage (p less than 0.001).