| Summary: | This study investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on acute ankle injuries and determined if HBO therapy shortened time to recovery, decreased edema and pain, and increased range of motion and strength of the ankle. Subjects were randomly assigned to either an experimental (HBO) group (n = 4) or a control group (n = 4). All subjects received the same standardized physical therapy for lateral ankle sprains at the McGill Sport Medicine Clinic. The HBO group received 5 consecutive HBO treatments at 2.5 ATA for 90 minutes starting within 24 hours post injury. The control group received no HBO treatments. All subjects were evaluated by a physician within 24 hours of injury. All subjects suffered a second-degree lateral ankle sprain. Pain, range of motion, strength, volume displacement, and function were evaluated on the day of injury (Day 1), on Day 6 post injury, and on the day of return to play (Day RTP). There was no significant difference in time to return to play. However, the HBO group (25.5 +/- 11.6 days) did return 31% faster than the control group (36.8 +/- 19.4 days). There were no differences found between groups on the variables. There was a decrease in pain found over time (Day 1 was 57 mm, Day 6 was 18.5 mm, and Day RTP was 7 mm). The results of this study suggest that with treatment of HBO there is no effect on ankle sprains for return to play or improved function.
|
|---|
