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Impact of Chronic Ankle Instability Following Ankle Sprain on Ankle Dorsiflexion, Heel Lift Function, and Quality of Life.

Source: PubMed, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical AssociationWang Jia, Li Haomin, Zeng Xiantie, et al.Published 4/24/2026Last synced 6/2/2026Status: syncedPMID: 42200988DOI: 10.3390/japma116030025

: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) post-sprain leads to persistent functional deficits. This study evaluated CAI's specific impact on ankle dorsiflexion, heel lift function, stability, broader functional impairments, and quality of life.: A case-control study enrolled 100 CAI patients (post-ankle sprain) and 100 healthy controls. Ankle strength (isokinetic dynamometer), stability (pressure plate), maximum dorsiflexion/plantar flexion ROM (mobility meter), functional limitations (0-10 activity scale), pain (VAS), coordination (Agility T-test, figure-of-eight test), and quality of life (FAOS) were compared. ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests were used.: Compared to controls, the CAI group showed significantly reduced ankle dorsiflexion strength (114.53 &#xb1; 10.47 N vs. 156.34 &#xb1; 13.26 N), heel lift strength (78.69 &#xb1; 5.44 N vs. 105.45 &#xb1; 8.28 N), stability scores (4.73 &#xb1; 0.52 vs. 8.65 &#xb1; 0.71 points), and ROM (dorsiflexion: 16.49&#xb0; &#xb1; 1.23&#xb0; vs. 22.35&#xb0; &#xb1; 1.65&#xb0;; plantar flexion: 27.58&#xb0; &#xb1; 6.51&#xb0; vs. 43.27&#xb0; &#xb1; 5.45&#xb0;). CAI patients reported higher activity limitation (6.34 &#xb1; 1.25 vs. 2.16 &#xb1; 0.55) and pain (5.37 &#xb1; 1.02 vs. 0.23 &#xb1; 0.01) and prolonged Agility T-test (11.24 &#xb1; 1.37 s vs. 7.51 &#xb1; 1.16 s) and figure-of-eight (16.35 &#xb1; 1.67 s vs. 12.43 &#xb1; 1.39 s) times. FAOS subscale scores (symptoms, daily activities, sports, pain) were significantly lower in the CAI group. All< 0

Abstract

: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) post-sprain leads to persistent functional deficits. This study evaluated CAI's specific impact on ankle dorsiflexion, heel lift function, stability, broader functional impairments, and quality of life.: A case-control study enrolled 100 CAI patients (post-ankle sprain) and 100 healthy controls. Ankle strength (isokinetic dynamometer), stability (pressure plate), maximum dorsiflexion/plantar flexion ROM (mobility meter), functional limitations (0-10 activity scale), pain (VAS), coordination (Agility T-test, figure-of-eight test), and quality of life (FAOS) were compared. ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests were used.: Compared to controls, the CAI group showed significantly reduced ankle dorsiflexion strength (114.53 &#xb1; 10.47 N vs. 156.34 &#xb1; 13.26 N), heel lift strength (78.69 &#xb1; 5.44 N vs. 105.45 &#xb1; 8.28 N), stability scores (4.73 &#xb1; 0.52 vs. 8.65 &#xb1; 0.71 points), and ROM (dorsiflexion: 16.49&#xb0; &#xb1; 1.23&#xb0; vs. 22.35&#xb0; &#xb1; 1.65&#xb0;; plantar flexion: 27.58&#xb0; &#xb1; 6.51&#xb0; vs. 43.27&#xb0; &#xb1; 5.45&#xb0;). CAI patients reported higher activity limitation (6.34 &#xb1; 1.25 vs. 2.16 &#xb1; 0.55) and pain (5.37 &#xb1; 1.02 vs. 0.23 &#xb1; 0.01) and prolonged Agility T-test (11.24 &#xb1; 1.37 s vs. 7.51 &#xb1; 1.16 s) and figure-of-eight (16.35 &#xb1; 1.67 s vs. 12.43 &#xb1; 1.39 s) times. FAOS subscale scores (symptoms, daily activities, sports, pain) were significantly lower in the CAI group. All< 0.05.: CAI significantly compromises ankle dorsiflexion, heel lift strength, stability, and functional mobility, correlating with increased pain, activity restriction, and diminished quality of life. Rehabilitation should prioritize neuromuscular re-education, strength restoration, and dynamic stability training to improve outcomes.

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