Corticosteroid injections may hasten the return time for National Football League (NFL) players suffering from high ankle sprains, according to research presented by Alfred A. Mansour, MD, from UT-Houston Health Sciences Center in Houston, Texas and colleagues. Treatment methods were not well documented in the literature. These stable syndesmosis ankle sprains are common in athletes that participate in contact sports. Standard radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to confirm the players’ diagnoses. All injuries confirmed with MRI were reviewed. Combining the corticosteroid and rehabilitation, those 13 players (Group 1) treated with these injections typically returned to play 40% sooner than those, 18 players (Group 2), not receiving the same corticosteroid injection. For these 13 players it was a return-to-play approximately 10 days sooner.
Syndesmosis sprains require more treatment as well as more time off from play (ie, games and practice) for recovery as compared to lateral ankle sprains. “After examining players with stable high ankle sprains over an eight-year period, we discovered those treated with corticosteroid injections returned to play within an average 15 days, as compared to 25 days for those not treated similarly,” noted Mansour. The players were examined between the years 2003 and 2011. “For high-level athletes such as NFL players, returning to play 10 days sooner can have a significant impact personally and for the team,” added Mansour as syndesmosis sprain injuries result in significant time lost from playing in both practice and games.
The study examined 31 players from two NFL teams, with Group 1 (13 players) receiving a corticosteroid injection within 72 hours of an ankle injury. Group 2 (18 players) did not receive the corticosteroid injection. All players involved in the study went through a standard nonoperative rehabilitation program, including: crutches, weight-bearing activity as tolerated, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) treatment, and a progressive return-to-play training based on the treatment practices of the respective team. The difference in return-to-play was statistically significant (p=0.0097).
“While previous research explores the extended recovery involved with these injuries, our data offers a new treatment option that may be more effective for NFL players,” noted Mansour. “Further research can help confirm this, though we are excited to discover ways to help athletes at the professional level,” Mansour continued.
Mansour and colleagues reported no complications in players treated with the corticosteroid injections. In a highly competitive athlete, the ability to return-to-play sooner rather than later may represent a significant clinical difference.