Volunteers needed for UQ ankle research study

People who have injured their ankles within the past two weeks are being sought to take part in a University of Queensland study of treatments for ankle injuries.

Study chief investigator Dr Bill Vicenzino of UQ's Physiotherapy Department said ankle sprains were the most common sports and recreational injuries.

"Interestingly, despite ankle injuries being prevalent, the effectiveness of many treatments remains unknown," he said.

"It has been recognised clinically that many ankle injuries, if left untreated or if poorly treated, can become problematic. Further ankle injuries or other leg injuries have been reported as the result of a previous ankle sprain, especially those that were not treated."

Dr Vicenzino said researchers from The University of Queensland's Musculoskeletal Pain And Injury Research Unit had received encouraging results from preliminary studies of some of the treatments prescribed for ankle injuries.

The research group includes Dr Vicenzino, Associate Professor Gwendolen Jull, Associate Professor Kim Bennell (University of Melbourne), Ms Maria Constantinou, Mrs Pam Teys and Mr Shaun O'Leary.

"The research team has recently received funding of about $26,000 to further its investigations of ankle injury treatment," Dr Vicenzino said.

Funding has come from the Australian Physiotherapy Association through the Physiotherapy Research Foundation and the Sports Physiotherapy Group, and The University of Queensland's Early Career Researcher Grants Scheme.

The research team is inviting people who have recently (past two weeks) injured their ankles to participate in a study which involves taking a variety of measures over the course of a rehabilitation program. The project will cover relevant clinic fees for participation by eligible volunteers.

For information about participating in the study please contact the Physiotherapy Clinic, The University of Queensland St Lucia Q4070, telephone 07 3365 2232 or email: uniclinic@shrs.uq.edu.au