The Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Reduction of Edema and Pain in Athletes With Ankle Sprain in the Acute Phase: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: An ankle sprain is a major soft tissue injury that can occur during sports activities; an ankle sprain in the acute phase causes localized edema that increases tissue pressure, impairs micro-circulation, and causes hypoxia in the injured tissue. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2 therapy) reduces tissue hypoxia and tissue edema. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of HBO2 therapy on edema and pain in athletes with an ankle sprain in the acute phase. Materials and Methods: Forty-four athletes with acute ankle sprain who underwent HBO2 therapy within seven days after injury between the years 2007 and 2015 were included in this study. The HBO2 therapy protocol included pressure up to 2.5 atmosphere absolute (ATA) (253.3 kPa) for 60 minutes. The foot and ankle volume was measured using a water-filled volumetric gauge and a visual analog scale (VAS). Results: Foot and ankle volume was 1569.1±219.0 cm3 just before HBO2 therapy and 1557.8±218.1 cm3 just after HBO2 therapy (p<0.001).The VAS scores were 19.5±20.1 and 17.2±19.9 points for pain at rest (p<0.05), 41.5±27.3 and 30.9±24.4 for pain while walking (p<0.001), and 44.2±23.7 and 37.1±22.5 for subjective evaluation of edema (p<0.001) before and after an HBO2 therapy session, respectively. Conclusion: Our results suggested that HBO2 therapy may provide a short-term reduction of edema and pain in athletes with an ankle sprain in this pilot study.