Infrared thermal imaging as an assessment tool in a rehabilitation program following an ankle sprain

Abstract

Lower limb trauma has an increasing incidence and often determines significant physical impairment and disability. Rehabilitation plays a significant role in pain relief and restoring physical function. The aim of our study was to analyze the benefits of rehabilitation programs in terms of functional improvement in patients with posttraumatic ankle-foot status and to monitor functional progress following rehabilitation using infrared thermal imaging assessment. We evaluated 22 patients with ankle sprains (3 or 4 stage), aged between 19 and 78 years, being treated at the National Institute of Rehabilitation - 3rd Clinic between September and December 2016. All patients followed a two weeks individualized rehabilitation program including laser therapy, cryo-ultrasound, TENS, therapeutic massage and physical therapy. The subjects were evaluated clinical and functional before and after the program. For clinical and functional assessment, we used VAS pain scale, Foot Function Index, Thermal Infrared Imaging. The results were analyzed from bio-statistical point of view. Our study demonstrated the usefulness of thermal infrared imaging in monitoring the evolution of pain and functioning following rehabilitation in patients with posttraumatic ankle-foot sequelae.