Table 2 Prognostic factors for short-term (≤ 8 weeks) outcome in acute lateral ankle sprain

de Bie et al. [42]

Healed or not healed at 2 & 4 weeks. Healed = AFS >75 (0-100) & palpation/ligament stress test score < 2 (0-12).

AFS (0-100) ≤35, doctor severity grading (0-10), palpation/ligament stress test score (0-12).

Multivariate logistic regression

2 weeks: Baseline AFS ≤ 35 predicted recovery status.

Sensitivity = 97%, specificity = 100%.

4 weeks: Combined baseline AFS ≤ 35, severity grading, & palpation/ligament stress test score predicted recovery status.

Sensitivity = 81%, specificity = 80%.

Wilson & Gansneder [43]

Number of days to return to full sports practice or competition (11.9 ± 6.6 days).

Joint swelling (ml), sagittal plane ROM loss (°), objective WB activity score (0-6), self-reported athletic ability score (VAS, 0-100).

Hierarchical regression

Combined swelling (β = −.02) & ROM loss (β = −.08). R ² = .34, p = .023.

Combined WB activity score (β = −.55) & self-reported ability score (β = −.39). R ² = .33, p = .004.

Combined swelling, ROM loss, WB activity score, & self-reported athletic ability score. Adjusted R ² = .59; p = .001.

Cross et al. [44]

Number of days to return to sport (14.7 ± 8.8 days).

SF36PF (0-100), Self-reported global function (0-100%), objective ambulation status (1-7).

Univariate regression, stepwise multivariate regression.

SF36PF. R ² = .28, p = .016.

Self-reported global function. R ² = .22, p = .036.

Objective ambulation status. R ² = .22, p = .019.

Combined SF36PF, self-reported global function, & objective ambulation status. Adjusted R ² = .34, p < .01.

van der Wees et al. [48]

Global perceived effect ≥2 (1 = recovered, 2-7 = not recovered) at 2 weeks.

AFS (0-100) ≤40.

Sensitivity & specificity using sample with ≤5 days duration of injury (n = 53)

2 weeks: Baseline AFS ≤ 40 predicted recovery status.

Sensitivity = 76%, specificity = 63%.

O’Connor et al. [49]

Karlsson function score (0-100) at 4 weeks.

Age (years), injury grade (1, 2, 2+), WB status (FWB, FWB with pain, PWB, NWB).

Univariate regression, step-wise multivariate regression.

4 weeks: Combined age (β = −.32, p = .001), injury grade (β = −.23, p = .003), & WB status (β = −.34, p = .038).

Adjusted R ² = .34, p < .01.