Assessment of the Quality of Life of Patients Visiting the Emergency Department of the Saint-Brieuc Hospital Following an Ankle Sprain

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

FAAM - Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Subscale: The FAAM score is scientifically validated and allows for the assessment of foot and ankle functional ability

Study summary

Lateral ankle sprains account for nearly 6,500 emergency department visits per day in France. They are clinically classified into three grades, which can be assessed approximately 3-5 days after an acute sprain. However, this classification remains somewhat approximate, with only mild and severe sprains being reliably identified.

When it comes to immobilization, if weight-bearing is possible, treatment options include an elastic ankle brace for mild sprains, taping, or a semi-rigid orthosis known as a "stabilizing" brace. It is worth noting that, according to Rodineau and Besch, the preferred form of immobilization is the semi-rigid orthosis. In cases of severe sprains where weight-bearing is not possible, rigid immobilization may be used.

To date, few thesis-level studies have focused on trauma care and the outpatient follow-up of ankle sprains. Two studies from the early 2010s assessed general practice management of trauma using questionnaires-one in Seine-Maritime and another in Bouches-du-Rhône. The latter study found that 96.7% of surveyed physicians reported managing all types of sprains. In the Seine-Maritime study, half of the physicians systematically followed up on ankle sprains, while the other half only did so if the patient's condition worsened. It was also found that nearly 47% of physicians referred their patients directly to emergency departments. This pathway was more frequently chosen by urban practitioners or those without specific training in trauma care.

Except in certain predefined cases depending on the hospital, there is currently no systematic follow-up for ankle sprains in emergency departments. Most patients are redirected toward follow-up in outpatient care.

The objective of this research project is to assess the recovery of baseline quality of life in participants who consulted the emergency department of Saint-Brieuc for an ankle sprain, three months after the injury. The evaluation will take into account the type of follow-up care (physician, physiotherapist) as well as the severity of the sprain.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• FAAM ADL questionnaire — At inclusion in the study and 3 months later
  The FAAM-ADL questionnaire is the first subscale of the FAAM questionnaire. It consists of 21 items and is used to assess activities of daily living. Each item is rated on a scale from 0 to 4 (0: unable to perform the activity; 4: no difficulty performing the activity).

Trial sites (1)

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