The effect of compression on post-ankle injury swelling
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of compression on post-ankle injury swelling: a pilot randomised controlled trial
IRAS ID
230518
Contact name
Charles McCollum
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiovascular Research Hub, Wythenshawe Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 28 days
Research summary
After injuring an ankle patients typically notice lots of swelling, pain and stiffness. These make it difficult to return to normal activities for a while after the injury, and make it hard to fit into normal footwear. After ankle injuries there is also an increased risk of sustaining a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In this study we are using engineered compression stockings, which provide some compression to the injured ankle, to see if this speeds up recovery after the injury and makes DVTs less likely to occur.
We have already conducted some research showing that compression improves recovery after ankle injuries and reduces the likelihood of getting a DVT. However, what we do not know is what degree of compression is the most effective. We aim to recruit adults with ankle injuries over a 4 month period and randomly allocated them to different amounts of ankle compression. Only adult patients who have sustained ankle fractures and sprains which are stable, and thus do not require surgery, will be enrolled.
Patients who give their consent to be enrolled will have their uninjured ankle and calf measured with a scanner. This will allow us to custom manufacture an engineered compression stocking of the correct size for the injured ankle. We will then fit this. The usual treatment for the injuries we are looking at is a walking boot; patients who participate in the study will be able to wear their stocking underneath the walking boot.
Each patient will be entered into the study for 12 weeks, and will undergo ankle swelling measurements, ultrasound scans to look for DVTs and will be asked to complete questionnaires.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0701
Date of REC Opinion
26 Feb 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion