Gait following lateral collateral ligament repair

Kinetic parameters of gait were examined in two groups of individuals who had sustained trauma of the lateral collateral ligament of the ankle. One group were diagnosed as having second-degree sprains and were immobilized in a plaster cast for 2 weeks (conservative treatment), while the other group had third-degree sprains and underwent surgical repair prior to being immobilized for 6 weeks in a plaster cast. Following removal of the cast subjects received similar programmes of physical therapy which were designed to mobilize the joint, strengthen the muscles, and improve proprioception. Six months after the initial ankle trauma gait patterns were recorded and analyzed. Few differences were observed between the two groups of subjects in either the pattern or the magnitude of the three orthogonal ground reaction forces. Furthermore, within each group no differences were observed between the sound and injured legs; however, there were differences between the corresponding legs of the two treatment groups.