Clinical measurement tools for ankle functional assessment: a systematic review

Abstract

Lateral ankle sprain is the most common injury among athletes and physically active adults. The adoption of valid and reliable clinical assessment instruments is basic for determining the most adequate therapeutic intervention, hence to achieve better rehabilitation. This is a systematic literature review to search for available and reliable outcome measures (questionnaires and functional scales) in the assessment of individuals who suffered lateral ankle sprain. After a search in Medline and Scielo databases a total of 11 instruments were selected and critically analysed. The Lower Extremity Functional Scale and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure showed the best methodological properties and provided more information concerning measurement features and clinical application (but have not been translated into Portuguese). Two instruments were found that were translated and culturally adapted for the Brazilian people, the CAIT (Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool) and the AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society - ankle-hindfoot scale). The AOFAS was found to present a more thorough analysis of its properties and applicability, being thus suggested to be used for functional assessment of ankle and hindfoot in Brazil.