TY - JOUR
T1 - Clinical and cost effectiveness of mechanical support for severe ankle sprains: Design of a randomised controlled trial in the emergency department
AU - Lamb, SE
AU - Nakash, RA
AU - Withers, EJ
AU - Clark, M
AU - Marsh, JL
AU - Wilson, Sue
AU - [No Value], [No Value]
AU - Szczepura, A
AU - Dale, JR
AU - Cooke, Matthew
PY - 2005/1/1
Y1 - 2005/1/1
N2 - BACKGROUND: The optimal management for severe sprains (Grades II and III) of the lateral ligament complex of the ankle is unclear. The aims of this randomised controlled trial are to estimate (1) the clinical effectiveness of three methods of providing mechanical support to the ankle (below knee cast, Aircast brace and Bledsoe boot) in comparison to Tubigrip, and (2) to compare the cost of each strategy, including subsequent health care costs. METHODS/DESIGN: Six hundred and fifty people with a diagnosis of severe sprain are being identified through emergency departments. The study has been designed to complement routine practice in the emergency setting. Outcomes are recovery of mobility (primary outcome) and usual activity, residual symptoms and need for further medical, rehabilitation or surgical treatment. Parallel economic and qualitative studies are being conducted to aid interpretation of the results and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the interventions. DISCUSSION: This paper highlights the design, methods and operational aspects of a clinical trial of acute injury management in the emergency department.
AB - BACKGROUND: The optimal management for severe sprains (Grades II and III) of the lateral ligament complex of the ankle is unclear. The aims of this randomised controlled trial are to estimate (1) the clinical effectiveness of three methods of providing mechanical support to the ankle (below knee cast, Aircast brace and Bledsoe boot) in comparison to Tubigrip, and (2) to compare the cost of each strategy, including subsequent health care costs. METHODS/DESIGN: Six hundred and fifty people with a diagnosis of severe sprain are being identified through emergency departments. The study has been designed to complement routine practice in the emergency setting. Outcomes are recovery of mobility (primary outcome) and usual activity, residual symptoms and need for further medical, rehabilitation or surgical treatment. Parallel economic and qualitative studies are being conducted to aid interpretation of the results and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the interventions. DISCUSSION: This paper highlights the design, methods and operational aspects of a clinical trial of acute injury management in the emergency department.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=20044369533&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/1471-2474-6-1
DO - 10.1186/1471-2474-6-1
M3 - Article
C2 - 15777484
SN - 1471-2474
VL - 6
SP - 1
JO - BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
JF - BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
IS - 1
ER -