Derarca Cooper and colleagues examine treatment methods for a common ankle injury

The purpose of this study was to examine two types of treatment for a very common injury, that of lateral grade l ankle injuries. The 74 patients studied were new attenders at the department of A&E of Ealing Hospital treated by senior house officers in the department. They were randomised into two groups, one receiving compression dressing and crutches and the other receiving detailed advice and a sheet of suggested exercises. At follow-up after one week there was found to be no difference between the two groups in terms of perceived pain and stiffness. (x(2) significance tested at the 0.01 level). Given the increasing role of emergency nurse practitioners who treat soft tissue injuries it is appropriate that a treatment requiring patient education and motivation be encouraged in the light of its degree of comparability to more traditional treatments.