Health Care Resource Utilization after Acute Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are common soft-tissue injuries that are often treated in emergency departments. These injuries can have significant consequences for the patient, including long-term morbidity and loss of productivity. The objective of this study was to examine the direct and indirect health resource utilization associated with ankle sprains. 296 adult patients with acute ankle sprains participated in the study in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Data were collected using a one-month productivity questionnaire. Overall, 11% (95% CI, 8-15%) of the participants visited a physician following the initial emergency department visit. Almost all (95%; 95% CI, 92-97%) of the participants used medications or supportive treatments and 55% (95% CI, 50-61%) reported taking time off from work, school, or housework. The use of unpaid assistance was indicated by 56% (95% CI, 50-62%). Findings from this analysis highlight the significant patient-related and health care system burden of acute ankle sprains.