Masters Theses/Capstone Projects
Date of Award
4-11-2017
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Science in Allied Health (MS)
Advisor
Dr. Paul Longenecker
Keywords
Ankle Instability, Orthopedic Sports Medicine
Subject Categories
Higher Education
Abstract
Functional Ankle Instability is often the result of multiple previous lateral ankle sprains. Usually more than two lateral ankle sprains on the same ankle puts that ankle into a category of Functional Ankle Instability. The reoccurring lateral ankle sprains lead to Functional Ankle Instability, which is stated as being a feeling of instability, repeated episodes of giving way, weakness during physical activity, and self-reported disability (Hall, Docherty, Simon, Kingma, Klossner, 2015). Patients describe Functional Ankle Instability by saying that their ankle “gives way,” or that there is “weakness with function” (Hall, 2015). There are several questionnaires that allow for patients Functional Ankle Instability to be ranked. These questionnaires include the Functional Ankle Disability Index and the Cumberland. The exact number of people affected by Functional Ankle Instability is unknown, but multiple sources estimate that about half of people who have experienced a lateral ankle sprain go on to suffer from Functional Ankle Instability. This large number of patients creates an increase to insurance costs, as well as the utilization of resources within the clinic. Understanding the best treatment protocols for Functional Ankle Instability leads to the best outcomes for patients, which in turn helps ease the burden from both a clinical and a administrative aspect. Utilizing the most efficient treatment interventions leads to an increase in patient outcomes, which in turn leads to a decrease in the number of overall patient visits. Decreasing the number of overall visits lowers the amount of out of pocket costs for the patient.
Recommended Citation
McCuen, Marc, "Clinical Recommendations for Functional Ankle Instability Based Upon Best Practice Guidelines" (2017). Masters Theses/Capstone Projects. 40.
https://digitalcommons.otterbein.edu/stu_master/40