The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has reacted to a suggestion by a recent study that there is no evidence to support a clinically important improvement in outcome with the addition of supervised physiotherapy to usual care for acute ankle sprain. Despite the findings of the study and some reports with similar suggestions, APA strongly asserts that physiotherapists important role in managing acute ankle sprains and preventing their recurrence.

The study in question actually compared two common physiotherapy approaches to managing ankle sprain: self-management and more consultations with a physiotherapist. The APA says that the evidence is shaky due to treatment crossover. Sixty-nine people in the traditional physio group did not attend any sessions of physiotherapy and approximately 20% of subjects were lost to follow-up.

On the other hand, physiotherapists not only provide a self-management approach for the types of ankle sprains assessed in the study. They also triage, assess, diagnose, educate and offer self-management or more extensive physiotherapy treatment programs when indicated. They also follow up with review progress and refer on when appropriate.

The APA stated that it would be more accurate to interpret these findings as evidence that self-management after an appropriate assessment by a physiotherapist is a cost-effective treatment option widely employed by physiotherapists today.

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