Characteristics of patients with ankle sprain presenting to an emergency department in the south of England (UK): A seven-month review.

INTRODUCTION: There is lack of evidence about ankle sprain patients presenting to emergency department (ED) in the UK. The study aim was to determine prevalence, demographic and clinical characteristics of patients attending to one ED. Knowing those characteristics may help setting prevention strategies and inform effective clinical practice. METHODS: A retrospective review of records from patients' database system was conducted between May and November 2015 (inclusive). RESULTS: 909 new patients with ankle sprain were recorded during the study period. Patients had a median age of 27 years (IQR 20). Men aged between 14 and 37 years had higher percentage of injuries compared to women of a similar age. Overall prevalence of injury was equally distributed between men and women. Most patients were sent to radiography department for ankle/foot X-ray (89%). Over half of patients (58%) were sent home with no follow-up treatment. A subsample (n = 106) from the original sample (n = 909) showed a variety of causes of injury such as tripping (29%), non-specific injury (26.4%), sports (26%), walking (12.2%) and other accidental causes (6%). Football was the most prevalent sport (13%). CONCLUSIONS: Prevention strategies, appropriate assessment tools and tailored rehabilitation programs are warranted to reduce number of patients and potential chronic symptoms.