Clinical Determinants of Recurrent Injury following Index Ankle Sprain

The recurrence of lateral ankle sprains (LAS) is a significant concern after high school student-athletes with a LAS return to play, yet effective prediction of recurrent LAS has not been achieved. The purpose of this study is to develop a model for prediction of risk of a recurrent LAS, utilizing multiple disease and patient outcomes that can be measured in clinical settings. Participants will be assessed when they return to play, then tracked for recurrent LAS until the completion of their competitive sport season the following year. Follow-up assessments will occur at the end of the initial competitive season and before the preseason of the following academic year. Two-way ANOVA models will be used to compare the outcome measures between those who do and do not suffer a recurrent LAS across the three time periods. Logistic regression will be used to assess the impact of the predictor variables on the recurrence of LAS. We expect those with recurrent LAS will have deficits in disease- and patient-oriented outcomes at all assessment periods compared to those without recurrent LAS. We expect disease- and patient-oriented outcome deficits will be related to greater estimated odds of recurrent LAS.