Patient-Reported Outcome Scores of Athletes With Time-Loss and Non-Time-Loss Ankle Sprains

Non-time-loss ankle sprains often receive less care than time-loss (TL) ankle sprains, but the effect of TL on persistent impairments needs to be explored. Our purpose was to compare patient-reported outcomes between athletes with non-time-loss and TL ankle sprains at return to activity and 6-month postinjury. Participants with a non-time-loss ankle sprain had worse patient-reported outcome scores at return to activity and 6 months compared with TL ankle sprains despite having less severe injuries. Greater than 24 hr of activity restriction following an acute ankle sprain is likely beneficial to the recovery of perceived function and stability.