Effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Ankle Function, Range of Motion, and Dynamic Balance in Patients with Chronic Ankle Instability

Purpose: This study investigated the short-term effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on pain, the ankle instability, the ankle function, dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), and dynamic balance in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI).Methods: Eighteen participants were divided into an experimental (n= 9) and control group (n= 9).The ESWT in the experimental group was applied to the lateral collateral ligament in combination with the tibialis anterior whereas the ESWT was applied to the lateral collateral ligament of the ankle alone in the control group.Pain, the ankle instability, the ankle function, dorsiflexion ROM, and dynamic balance were measured using the Visual analog scale, Cumberland ankle instability tool, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score, weight-bearing lunge, and Y-balance test, before and after ESWT intervention.Results: Significant interactions (group × time) and time effects were observed in the dorsiflexion ROM and dynamic balance.Bonferroni's post-hoc analysis showed that the experimental group revealed a more significant change in dorsiflexion ROM and dynamic balance than the control group.There was a significant time effect in the pain, the ankle instability, and the ankle function, but no significant interaction (group × time) was observed. Conclusion:The ESWT could improve the pain, ankle instability, ankle function, dorsiflexion ROM, and dynamic balance in patients with CAI.Furthermore, the ESWT combined with lateral ankle ligaments and tibialis anterior more improves the dorsiflexion ROM and dynamic balance.