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Evaluation of the passive resistive torque in female athletes with ankle sprain

Abstracts

INTRODUCTION: The ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries in athletes. Direct evaluation of the ligament laxity can be obtained through the objective measurement of extreme passive inversion and eversion movements, but there are few studies on the use of the evaluation of the passive resistive torque of the ankle to assess the capsule and ligaments resistance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the inversion and eversion passive torque in athletes with and without ankle sprains history. METHOD: 32 female basketball and volleyball athletes (16.06 ± 0.8 years old; 67.63 ± 8.17 kg; 177.8 ± 6.47 cm) participated in this study. Their ankles were divided into two groups: control group (29), composed by symptom-free ankles, and ankle sprain group, composed by ankles which have suffered injury (29). The resistive torque at maximum passive ankle movement was measured by the isokinetic dynamometer and the muscular activity by electromyography system. The athletes performed 2 repetitions of inversion and eversion movement at 5, 10 and 20°/s and the same protocol only at maximum inversion movement. RESULTS: The resistive passive torque during the inversion and eversion was lower in the ankle sprain group. This group also showed lower torques at the maximum inversion movement. No differences were observed between inversion and eversion movement. CONCLUSIONS: Ankle sprain leads to lower passive torque, indicating reduction of the resistance of the lateral ankle ligaments and mechanical laxity.

joint instability; sports; ligaments


INTRODUÇÃO: A entorse de tornozelo é uma das lesões mais comuns em atletas. Uma forma de avaliar a frouxidão ligamentar pode ser através da medida da amplitude passiva dos movimentos de inversão e eversão do pé para estimar a resistência passiva das estruturas capsuloligamentares do tornozelo, o qual pode ser chamado de torque de resistência passiva. Existem poucos estudos que utilizam a avaliação do torque passivo do tornozelo para avaliar a resistência da cápsula e dos ligamentos. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o torque passivo dos movimentos de inversão e eversão do pé em atletas com e sem história de entorse de tornozelo. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 32 atletas de basquetebol e voleibol feminino (16,06 ± 0,8 anos, 67,63 ± 8,17kg, 177,8 ± 6,47cm). Seus tornozelos foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo controle (29), composto por tornozelos sem sintomas, e grupo entorse de tornozelo, composto por tornozelos que sofreram lesão (29). O torque dos movimentos passivos do tornozelo foi registrado por um dinamômetro isocinético, e a atividade dos músculos fibular longo e tibial anterior foi medida por um eletromiógrafo. As atletas realizaram duas repetições do movimento de inversão e eversão, nas velocidades de 5, 10 e 20°/s e, em seguida, o mesmo protocolo foi repetido apenas para o movimento de inversão máxima do pé. RESULTADOS: O torque de resistência passiva durante os movimentos de inversão e eversão do pé foi menor no grupo com entorse do tornozelo. Este grupo também mostrou menor torque durante o movimento de inversão máxima do pé. Não foram observadas diferenças entre o movimento de inversão e eversão. CONCLUSÕES: A entorse de tornozelo leva a um menor torque de resistência passiva, indicando redução da resistência dos ligamentos colaterais do tornozelo e uma frouxidão articular mecânica.

instabilidade articular; esportes; ligamentos


ORIGINAL ARTICLE

LOCOMOTOR APPARATUS IN EXERCISE AND SPORTS

Evaluation of the passive resistive torque in female athletes with ankle sprain

Márcia BarbaneraI; Rubens Correa AraujoII; Tulio Diniz FernandesIII; Arnaldo Jose HernandezIII

ILaboratory of Biomechanics– São Judas Tadeu University –São Paulo – SP, Brazil

IIPhysiotherapy Clinic – Taubaté University – SP, Brazil

IIIMedicine School of the University of São Paulo – Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology – Clinics Hospital (FMUSP IOT HC) – São Paulo – SP, Brazil

Mailing address

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries in athletes. Direct evaluation of the ligament laxity can be obtained through the objective measurement of extreme passive inversion and eversion movements, but there are few studies on the use of the evaluation of the passive resistive torque of the ankle to assess the capsule and ligaments resistance.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the inversion and eversion passive torque in athletes with and without ankle sprains history.

METHOD: 32 female basketball and volleyball athletes (16.06 ± 0.8 years old; 67.63 ± 8.17 kg; 177.8 ± 6.47 cm) participated in this study. Their ankles were divided into two groups: control group (29), composed of symptom-free ankles, and ankle sprain group, composed of ankles which have suffered injury (29). The resistive torque at maximum passive ankle movement was measured by the isokinetic dynamometer and the muscular activity by electromyography system. The athletes performed 2 repetitions of inversion and eversion movement at 5, 10 and 20°/s and the same protocol only at maximum inversion movement.

RESULTS: The resistive passive torque during the inversion and eversion was lower in the ankle sprain group. This group also showed lower torques at the maximum inversion movement. No differences were observed between inversion and eversion movement.

CONCLUSIONS: Ankle sprain leads to lower passive torque, indicating reduction of the resistance of the lateral ankle ligaments and mechanical laxity.

Keywords: joint instability, sports, ligaments.

INTRODUCTION

Ankle sprains are one of the commonest injuries among athletes1-5, corresponding to 20% of all musculoskeletal injuries6and over 30% of all sports5. The majority of ankle sprains occurs in the inversion movement, especially with foot in plantar flexion, straining the anterior talo fibular ligament1,4,7,8.

The lateral ligamentous complex of the ankle is the most commonly injured site. It is composed of the anterior talo fibular, calcaneo fibularand posterior talo fibular ligaments and the mostly injured ligament in the lateral ankle sprain is the anterior talofibular one1,7,8.

Although there is massive scientific research the recurrence of ankle sprains remains high2,4-6. The injury recurrence presents records above 70% among athletes7,9,10.Ankle sprains can be prevented; however, prevention of these injuries will only be possible if the risk factors were identified2,10,11. The possible risk factors include: alterations in the foot position8,12, deficit in proprioception2,4,10,11,13,14, laxity in the lateral ligamentous complex4,15,16 and muscular weakness4,9,13.

Better understanding on the sprain injury mechanism will possibly help the health professional, including physiotherapists, to plan an objective and efficient treatment. Consequently, the patients will benefit from better planned rehabilitation.

After the sprain occurrence, the ankle ligaments and the articular capsule may become lax and increase articular instability 7,12,13,15, which favors the recurrence of sprains in inversion. The drawer examination and talar inclination techniques are used to identify ankle articular instability7,12,15. However, the use of these techniques has been questioned, since they involve manual tests and only provide subjective information on the ligamentous laxity. The stress radiographic exam in inversion has been traditionally used to quantify the ligament laxity through evaluation of the talus dislocation, but it is an indirect techinque7,12,15.

Objective evaluation of ligamentous laxity may be performed through the accurate measurement of the passive resistance of the capsule ligamentuss tructures generated by the passive movements of ankle maximal inversion and eversion16,17. Unfortunately, there are few studies on the evaluation of the ankle passive resistive torque. Birmingham et al.17evaluated the passive torque in the ankle maximal inversion with an instrument which caused stress on the ankle lateral compartment and did not find differences in the passive torque of subjects with ankle unilateral sprain history, suggesting that these subjects did not present any ligamentous laxity.

The evaluation of the capsule and ligaments resistance may be obtained with the use of an isokinetic dynamometer, considering the ankle resistance measured by the passive torque16. Since ankle sprains can be caused by capsule and ligaments laxity, these structures are able to support only light tension during the extreme movements of the tibiotalar joint7,12,18; therefore, the passive torque may be decreased at the end of the ankle inversion and eversion range of motion. Thus, individuals without ankle sprain history will possibly present higher passive torque than individuals who have suffered sprains.

The aim of this study was to compare the inversion and eversion passive torque in athletes with and without ankle sprain history. We expect to find results which support the hypothesis that ankles which have suffered sprains will present lower passive torque.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Subjects

Thirty-two female basketball and volleyball athletes (16.06 ± 0.8 years; 67.63 ± 8.17kg; 177.8 ± 6.47cm) participated in the study. According to their injury history, their ankles were divided in two groups: Control group (29), composed of ankles with no history of injury, and Sprain group, composed of ankles which have suffered sprains (29). The mean number of ankle sprains suffered by the Sprain group was 1.24 ± 0.57, with mean of 18.62 ± 12.2 months from the first sprain episode.

The athletes without history of fracture of the lower limbs and without retro malleolar pain were included in the study. The athletes who presented only episodes of instability, but without ankle sprain history, or those who underwent ankle surgery, were excluded from the study (4 ankles). The specific inclusion criterion for the Sprain group was previous history of ankle sprain for over six months from the date of collection, with or without instability sensation. Concerning the Control group, the athletes who did not present any history of injury in lower limbs were included.

The exclusion criterion adopted was pain during the dynamics tests performance, which corresponded to the exclusion of two ankles. All subjects signed a Free and Clarified Consent Form approved by the Local Ethics Committee [Ethics Committee for Analysis of Research Projects-CAPPesq from the Clinical Board of Directors of the Clinics Hospital and Medicine School of the University of São Paulo on 08/02/06 (#1051-05)].

Instruments

The passive resistive torque was evaluated through na isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex® System 3, Biodex®Inc, USA). The electromyographic activity (EMG) of the fibularis longus muscle (FL) and of the tibialis anterior muscle (TA) was also recorded to confirm that the movement was passive. The test was cancelled if increase of the EMG sign amplitude was observed. The electromyography instrument used was the Myosystem® 1400 (Noraxon® Inc, USA). The sample frequency was of 1kHz, and the signof both muscles was simultaneously collected. The skin was sanitized with alcohol (95%) to reduce its electrical resistance. The surface electrodes (disposable, Ag/AgCl, 4mm of height and 9mm of width) were placed on the muscle surface between the motor point and the distal extremity of the muscle, according to the SENIAM recommendations (Surface Electromyography for the Non-Invasive Assessment of Muscles)19,20. The tests were performed after five minutes of warm-up walk on the treadmill21.

Protocol

The athletes remained with trunk inclination of 40° on the seat of the isokinetic dynamometer, hips and knees flexed at 90°, barefoot and rested on the specific support plaque of the instrument (Figure 1) for tests performance. The athletes' feet were aligned with the mechanical axis of the instrument and the ankle was at neutral position (at 90º in relation to the leg).


The inversion and eversion passive movements were tested. In this protocol, while the athletes remained relaxed, the instrument performed the foot inversion and eversion movement until reaching the physiological limit. The evaluation was performed in two different phases.

In phase 1, the protocol consisted in two repetitions of the inversion and eversion passive movements in three different velocities (5, 10 and 20°/s). The maximum range of motion (ROM) limit was adjusted according to the sensation reported by the athletes at the end of the ROM.

In phase 2, we adjusted the ROM without the athlete's foot and only the maximal inversion movement was tested in order to reach the tissue limit. Subsequently, the protocol described in phase 1 was repeated.The athletes were told to press the instrument trigger when they felt any discomfort or strain on the ankle lateral region during the inversion passive arch. After trigger activation, the movement was immediately interrupted and the torque offered by the passive resistance was recorded.

VARIABLES AND STATISTICS

The mean of the EMG sign amplitude and the mean of the torque peaks were calculated for analysis of the passive torque and EMG.

After the parametric statistics was verified, we tested the effect of the group (Control and Sprain), movement (inversion and eversion) and velocity (5, 10 and 20°/s) on the passive torque. Analysis of variance of two and three factors (ANOVA), followed by the Tukey HSD test was performed for analysis of the differences. The significance level adopted was of5% (α=0.05).

RESULTS

Phase1

Three-way ANOVA was used to verify the group, velocity and movement effect in the passive torque. Only the group factor F(1.694) = 44.62; p < 0.0001) affected torque, while movement (F(1.694) = 0.76; p = 0.38) and velocity (F(2.693) = 0.09; p = 0.91) did not. The Tukey HSD post hoc test evidenced that the passive torque was higher in the Control group (p < 0.0001).

The mean and standard deviation of the passive torque of the Control and Sprain groups in the different velocities are presented in Figure 2.


Figure 3 presents the mean and standard deviation of the passive torque of the inversion and eversion movements in the different velocities.


Phase2

The two-way ANOVA test was used to verify the group and velocity effect in the passive torque. The group factor (F(1.346) = 12.19; p = 0.0005) affected torque, which did not occur for velocity (F(2.345) = 0.2, p = 0.81). The Tukey HSD post hoct est evidenced that the passive torque was higher in the Control group (p < 0.0005).

The mean and standard deviation of the passive torque of the Control and Sprain groups in the different velocities are presented in Figure 4.


DISCUSSION

The majority of studies on ankle injuries is more focused on chronic instability than sprains. The occurrence of sprain recurrent episodes with recurrent instability after the first sprain episode may be called chronic ankle instability (CAI)11,18.

Ankle functional and mechanical instability are potential causes of CAI. Ankle functional instability is described by the recurrence of sprains and instability sensation due to neuromuscular and proprioceptive deficit9,11,13,18. Ankle mechanicalinstability is characterized by pathological laxity after ligament injury, allowing mobility beyond the physiological limit3,18.

The criteria to differentiate mechanical and functional instability are not well established22, which makes the classification of the individuals who suffer repetitive sprains difficult and lets each author adopt his/her own classification. Ürgüden et al.23 classified history of traumatic sprain followed by recurrent ankle injuries (two or more times) including pain and edema. Vries et al.11 characterized CAI when the instability symptoms remained for more than six months. Sefton et al.10 suggested a questionnaire to evaluate ankle functional instability and defined as criterion: previous history of more than one sprain and recurrent symptoms. Fox et al.24 defined as unstable ankle when the individual suffered from an ankle lateral sprain and presented at least one episode of instability over the last month.

Many studies have adopted the classification of functional instability when the individuals present history of sprain and instability sensation, perhaps for the difficulty in performing diagnostic tests which confirm the mechanical alterations25, but mechanical instability is described by instability sensation in one mechanically stable ankle1,16. Injury by sprain in inversion probably alters the lateral capsule ligamentar structures and modifies mechanical stability of the ankle, making it lax7,12.

The absence of a gold-standard test to differentiate mechanical and functional instability through accurate methods makes the appropriate classification of this disorder difficult22.

In the present study, the athletes with sprain history, regardless of presenting instability, were assessed within the same group (Sprain), probably for presenting tissue injuries7,12. The athletes who presented only instability sensation, with no sprain history, were not included in the study since they did not present evidence of tissue injury.

We only assessed the athletes without acute symptoms and who presented their last sprain episode over six months from the date of collection. This criterion was adopted to avoid that the inflammation could alter the results as well as to guarantee that the alterations found could be directly related to the sprain22.

The inversion and eversion passive movements were tested to evaluate the torque resulting in the end of the movement, and the term used to characterize this procedure was "passive torque". In that case, torque refers to the passive resistance generated by the capsule ligamentar structures of the ankle.

The electromyographic evaluation indicated that the FL and TA muscles were at rest during the protocol performance. The absence of EMG activity supports our statement that the movements were passive and the torque created against the isokinetic dynamometer was offered by the capsule ligamentar tissues.

The passive torque was assessed in two phases. In phase 1, the inversion and eversion movements were adjusted according to the sensation reported by the athletes at the end of the ROM. In or derto confirm the archend, phase 2 was performed. It consisted of only the inversion movement, in which the adjustment was performed in the tissue limit to simulate a stress situation of the ankle lateral ligaments.In phase 2, the eversion movement was not considered, since the most frequent injury mechanism occurs in inversion.

In phase 1, the Sprain group presented lower torque peak at the end of the inversion and eversion passive movements (Figure 2). This finding suggests that tissue injury caused by ligaments and capsule sprain or rupture has occurred after the trauma7,12.

Decrease of passive resistance of the ankle lateral compartment structures, verified by the inversion passive movement, was expected due to the previous tissue injury in the Sprain group. However, decrease in passive resistance of the medial compartment was also found. Tourné et al.12 described that besides being the main ankle medial stabilizer, the deltoid also helps in the lateral stability, working in the maintenance of the talus position. When a sprain of high magnitude occurs, consequently changing the talus position, sprain of the ankle lateral ligaments as well as of the deltoid ligament takes place.

Ruptured or lax ligaments and capsule may cause instability, decreasing hence mechanical resistance16,18. Instability of the subtalar joint suggests that the ligaments have been damaged after ankle lateral sprain. Such fact may occur due to application of early load and stress on these ligaments, compromising the tissue repair process and leaving them at a more elongated position7.

In phase 2, passive torque was lower in the Sprain group at the end of the inversion passive movement (Figure 4). This result corroborates the findings in phase 1, which state that individuals with sprain history present injury of the capsule ligamentar tissues.

Birmingham et al.17did not find differences in the passive resistance peak in the individuals who suffered sprain and suggest that they do not present ligament laxity, contrary to our findings. The divergence between results may have occurred due to differences in the protocol and instruments. Santos and Liu16 use daniso kinetic dynamometer to detect passive torque and founded crease in passive laxity of unstable ankles. They concluded that decrease of passive torque may be interpreted as increase in articular instability.

A limitation o four study is that all tests were performed in laboratory environment, which does not allow a reliable reproduction of the musculoskeletal behavior during the sports activities as well as of daily life. Another limitation was the low number of studies about passive torque.

The isokinetic dynamometer was considered a reliable instrument in the evaluation of passive torque. However, in order to carry on with our studies, we intend to compare the passive torque data with X-rays of stress in unstable ankles. In case positive correlation is found between these techniques, the radiographic exams will be able to be avoided, since the tests on dynamometer are much safer and offer more protection to the patients. The athletes with ankle sprain history present passive lower torque than the Control group, suggesting capsule and ligaments laxity. Thus, further studies with the use of ankle bandage and or theses should be conducted in order to verify stabilization and decrease of risks of injury.

CONCLUSION

Based on these results, ankle sprain leads to decrease of passive torque, being a possible indication of mechanical instability.

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  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      19 June 2012
    • Date of issue
      Apr 2012
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