Pulsating shortwave diathermy: value in treatment of recent ankle and foot sprains.

The effects of 2 pulsating shortwave diathermy treatments (Diapulse and Curapuls) were compared with placebo treatment in recent ligamentous injuries of ankle and foot in 300 outpatients. The areas of comparison were reduction in swelling, recovery of strength and range of motion of the injured ankle, improvement of walking ability, and duration of disability. There were only slight differences between Diapulse and Curapuls treatment groups. No statistically significant differences could be observed in the recovery of strength and range of motion or in the duration of disability among the 3 groups, although walking ability in the Diapulse group recovered better than in the placebos (p less than 0.01) and reduction of swelling was significantly better for Curapuls (p less than 0.001 than for placebos.